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Turkey hints at new operation in Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raises the stakes in Syria by hinting that Ankara will launch a new incursion to build on its previous one.

A Turkish army tank drives towards to the border in Karkamis on the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern Gaziantep province, Turkey, August 25, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX2MYVZ
A Turkish army tank drives toward Karkamis on the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern Gaziantep province, Turkey, Aug. 25, 2016. — REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s latest public statements indicate that an operation by Turkey may be imminent against Kurds in northern Syria, who operate under the banner of the People's Protection Units (YPG). At least this is the widespread impression he is giving.

The reinforcement of Turkish forces along the Syrian border appears to confirm this as well. It seems more of a question of when, not if, this operation, which press reports say will be codenamed “Euphrates Sword,” will begin.

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