Is Syrian government withdrawing from Tal Rifaat in favor of Turkey?
FSA forces are carrying out military maneuvers in preparation for the battle against Kurdish forces in Tal Rifaat, while Turkey is bringing in more reinforcements.
The Tal Rifaat Military Council affiliated with the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions has recently been carrying out military drills, using military vehicles and heavy machine guns in preparation for a Turkish military operation in the city that is controlled by Kurdish forces.
Although the Turkish incursion into northern Syria seemed to take a backseat in recent days, movements on the ground point otherwise.
Turkey has been sending troops and military logistical equipment to border areas with Syria and has already installed jamming systems for drones, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
The SOHR said that a new military convoy of Turkish forces entered areas in northern Syria through the Bab al-Salama border crossing on July 4. The convoy, made up of tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, troop carriers and various military vehicles, headed to Turkish bases in the northern countryside of Aleppo, the war monitor added.
