As Turkish troops and their Free Syrian Army rebel allies close in on the the mainly Kurdish city of Afrin, the looming question is whether Turkey will actually wade into what analysts warn will be a bloody fight with high civilian casualties. The other is whether the Syrian Kurdish militant group known as the People’s Protection Units (YPG) will remain to defend the city or cut its losses and leave.

These questions arose last week as Turkish troops moved on the town of Jinderes, which lies southwest of Afrin and is critical to disrupting the YPG’s supply lines further east. The Turkish-led force backed by massive air power seized Jindires with little resistance. The ease suggests the YPG decided to tactically retreat and save its manpower for Afrin city.

Turkey’s hawkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan left no room for doubt about Turkey’s intentions, saying Friday, “Now the center of Afrin is surrounded and our entry is imminent.” Erdogan announced ambitious plans for the city, saying Turkey would help rebuild its infrastructure, restore electricity and water and modernize its education and its healthcare system “just like it did in Jarabulus, al-Rai, Azaz and Al-Bab.”

The Turkish strongman was referring to the hefty chunk of territory Turkey seized during the Euphrates Shield operation that began in in August 2016. Turkey has since set about building roads, schools and hospitals and training local security forces there with what critics call “neo-Ottoman" — some even say Islamist — zeal.