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New conflict? After the airstrikes, Erdogan warns of ground offensives against the Kurds in Syria and Iraq

Politiko 2022-11-22 10:16:37

New conflict? After the airstrikes, Erdogan warns of ground offensives against

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signaled a possible ground offensive in northern Syria and Iraq after Ankara's forces launched cross-border airstrikes after a bomb blast in Istanbul blamed on the Kurds.

The rising tensions have caused global concern, with Russia and the United States urging Ankara to show restraint.

Speaking to reporters, Erdogan said Turkey's ongoing military campaign in northern Syria and northern Iraq "is not limited to an air operation" and could include ground forces.

"The competent authorities, our defense ministry and the chief of staff will jointly decide the level of force to be used by our ground forces," he said. "We do our consultations and then take our steps accordingly."

The Turkish operation, dubbed Sword of Claws, began on Sunday, a week after a bomb blast on Istanbul's Istiklal Avenue killed six people and injured 81.

Ankara blamed the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and related Syrian Kurdish groups for the November 13 attack, although Kurdish fighters have denied any involvement.

Turkey has previously conducted military ground operations in Syria focused on areas just across the border and captured large swathes of territory.

The Turkish government believes a so-called "safe zone" along the Syrian side of the border is necessary to allow the voluntary return of Syrian refugees it is hosting, as well as to stop groups Ankara considers to be members of the PKK, such as eg US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from attacking Turkey.

Source: AL Jazzera

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