Final preparations for Turkey’s Afrin operation
The Turkish Armed Forces’ operation plans aimed at Afrin have been sped up with the increase in Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) harassing against regions rescued from the terrorist organization Daesh within the scope of Euphrates Shield Operation. The recent intense participation of the PKK in the region led Turkey to consider this region as a national security threat. As the military intensity at the border peaks, the preparations at Turkish Armed Forces’ bases in Syria are at their final phase.
The Afrin plan, which the Turkish Armed Forces is working on, is being finalized. The operation which is designed to be carried out with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) groups will start from Azaz, Kaljibrin and Mare, and proceed eastwards in the regions occupied by the terrorist organization PKK/PYD. Turkish soldiers and the FSA will primarily seize control of Tell Rifaat and Menagh Military Airbase in the first phase of the operation. Severe clashes are expected around these two targets, located in a quite strategic point in terms of the region. The Menagh Airbase, which is 7 km away from Azaz, and 15 km away from Afrin, was occupied by the PKK in February.
