Turkey’s targeted killings signal new strategy against Syrian Kurdish forces

A series of Turkish drone strikes targeting senior Kurdish figures in northeast Syria appears to be the prelude of an attrition strategy to further restrict the main Syrian Kurdish group in the region and hamper its autonomy project.
OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images
Turkish soldiers stand guard atop an outpost as smoke billows from burning tires during a demonstration against Turkey's perceived inaction over the latest Syrian regime attacks, in the village of Balyun in the rebel-held southern countryside of Syria's northwestern province of Idlib on July 22, 2021. - OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images
12_Photo Metin Gurcan.jpg
Metin Gurcan
@Metin4020

Breaking a long lull in its military campaign against Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, Turkey has launched a series of drone strikes targeting high-profile members of the People’s Protection Units (YPG), apparently with quiet nods from Russia and the United States.

The YPG lost around two dozen members, including senior figures, in about 20 drone strikes that hit YPG targets last week, including vehicles carrying military commanders, meeting places and command centers. 

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more