Turkey launches ground offensive in northern Syria

Turkey began attacking hours after fighters and artillery in northern Syria attacked the territory occupied by the Kurds.

Turkish officials said the troops entered the "Eastern East" region.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the operation was to create a "safe zone" to avoid Kurdish militias that would house Syrian refugees.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Party (SDF) vowed to resist Turkey's progress.

Amid growing humanitarian concerns, the SDF called on the US-led coalition against Jihad Group Islam (IS) to create a no-fly zone to prevent "attack on innocent people" in the area.

The Kurds, the main US allies to defeat IS in Syria, are guarded in local prisons and camps that control thousands of IS fighters and relatives, and it is not certain if they will be safely detained if ground combat continues.

The attack began a few days after President Donald Trump's withdrawal of US troops from the border, a decision that was widely criticized at home and abroad.

In a statement, President Trump said that, as Turkey's economy threatened to "close" when the economy went "out of bounds," the US "did not approve this attack" and "cleared Turkey to the idea that this operation was bad." . ".

British Foreign Minister Dominic Rob expressed "serious concern" about the offensive, saying it "destabilizes the region, deepens humanitarian suffering and undermines progress."

What is Turkey's plan?

"I will keep Syria's territorial integrity and free the community from terrorists," said Governor Erdogan. "It will stop the construction of terror corridors across the south border and bring peace to the region."

Several cities and villages have been damaged by air strikes and shelling, and residents are said to be avoiding the villages of Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad. The SDF said two civilians were killed and two wounded in Misha La Farah, west of Ras Al Ain.

Turkey considers the Kurdish YPG militia (the dominance of the SDF) as an extension of the forbidden Kurdish Labor Party, and has struggled for the Kurdish autonomy of Turkey for 30 years.

The Turkish government plans to send 2 million of the 3.6 million Syrian refugees living in the country into a "safe zone." According to the International Rescue Committee, the attack could replace 300,000 people living in the area.

In three years, the attack, Turkey's third military operation in northern Syria, will initially be concentrated at a distance of 100 km (62 miles) between Tala Avid and Ras Al Ain.

If the Turkish army advances to Kovanero to the west and to Cami-Shili to the east, the population must be densely populated, mainly to the Kurdish region.

SDF Mustafa Bali spokesman said Cobain and Kami Shili were hit by Turkish bombings.

A painful war

By, by BBC Orla Guerin on Akcakale in Turkey Syriayen boundary

Police vehicles are instructing civilians to leave the area, hearing artillery fire and mortar sounds. There was a mortar fire coming across the border, but it did not reach Turkish territory.

President Erdogan says this is the beginning of a peace spring operation. For Syrian civilians who cross the border, there is no doubt that this will be considered another battle in the long war.

The Kurdish army almost enthusiastically stressed that the victory in the long battle with the IS is now at risk. The SDF lost about 11,000 fighters in battle with IS. They succeeded with the help of America.

But they pointed out, for example, that they may have to withdraw their troops from prisons with IS fighters or from cities freed from IS. The Kurds speak basically in the West. The war that Turkey fights for you is in danger because of what Turkey wants to do.

What is the international response?

The United Kingdom and France plan to discuss the situation at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, and Jean-Claude Junker Chairman of the European Commission urged Turkey to "stop military operations."

NATO Secretary-General of Jens Stoltenberg said Turkey had "legal security issues", but expected that the country would "take restrictions and all actions would be proportional and measured."

Senator Lindsay Graham, who has a close relationship with President Trump, said in parliament that he would try to "pay the price for Erdogan," and pray for the Kurdish allies shamelessly abandoned by the Trump government.

• Why the war with northern Syria is important

Trump said in his statement that IS fighters suspected of being held captive by Turkey remain in prison and are responsible for preventing IS from being regrouped.

How does the attack affect the IS situation?

According to the SDF, more than 12,000 suspected IS members are detained in seven prisons, at least 4,000 of which are foreigners. The exact location was not disclosed, but some are close to the Turkish border.

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Two camps (Roj and Ain Issa), which hold a family of suspected IS members, are within the "safe zone".

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