In simultaneous violent crashes that rocked the Aleppo province, Turkey seized a Syrian town, Tal Rifaat, from Kurdish forces. As reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Pro-Turkey forces launched a siege against the strategically important town while being engaged in a parallel offensive elsewhere in Aleppo. This will have a critical impact on the ongoing conflict in the Syrian region and will raise further concerns.
What Went Down in Tal Rifaat?
As of last Sunday, Turkey’s loyalist faction has full control over the Syrian town of Tal Rifaat. The move has strategic implications as it has left almost 200,000 Syrian Kurds in the northern Aleppo region, encircled by Pro-Turkey forces. The Observatory raised concern about how communication with these Kurds has been cut off, raising fear of a potential massacre.
Conflict Escalation in Aleppo Province
The offensive was a part of the broader decade-long campaign, backed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and aimed at disrupting the supply lines and logistics of the Kurdish forces. The objective behind the campaign is to solidify control over strategic locations in the region. Post takeover, further reports have come in, highlighting an increase in clashes between Kurdish and Pro-Turkey forces in the Aleppo province.
Other than Tal Rifaat, Turkish-backed groups have also seized control of towns like Safireh, Khanasser, and the Kweyris military airport. Such violent clashes have already resulted in significant losses among government forces, with at least nine fatalities.
Tyrkey’s Strategic Interests in Northern Syria
Turkey has been involved in Syria for the better part of the last decade. It launched a ground offensive back in 2016. The campaign aimed to establish control over Syrian regions, that Turkey claimed, were dominated by “terrorists”, linked to Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). As per Turkey, the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which has a majority in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).has direct ties to PKK.
The attack on Tal Riffat is a reflection of the recent escalation by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied rebel groups. They had launched an offensive in northwestern Syria.
The Role of The SDF
The Kurdish-led SDF, who are also a key U.S. ally in Syria against the Islamic State (IS), have a central role in the region’s military dynamics. They were instrumental in dismantling IS’s self-proclaimed caliphate back in 2019. Regardless, Turkey views SDF as an extension of the YPG, in association with the PKK.
SDF has also issued a statement, accusing Turkey of orchestrating attacks to destabilize the region and dividing Syria.
Calls for De-escalation
This violent conflict has already drawn international attention. In response to the U.S., Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the nation’s willingness to support any initiatives to reduce regional tensions. In a talk with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that Turkey is willing to “reduce tension.” This comes in the wake of newfound concerns over the issues raised by international observers, who fear significant humanitarian and political consequences of renewed fighting.
Broader Implications for the Syrian Conflict
The capture of these Syrian towns and other clashes in Aleppo have underscored the fragile and volatile nature of this conflict. The stability in the Syrian region is important and has larger geopolitical implications. Turkey’s continued involvement in the region can prove critical in further shaping the geopolitical landscape of Syria and will affect both local populations and international relations.
