Latest news with #OperationPeaceSpring
Al Bawaba
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
U.S. to begin phased withdrawal from Syria within two months
ALBAWABA- The United States has announced it will begin a phased withdrawal of its forces from Syria within the next two months, raising concerns in Israel and prompting efforts to prevent the move due to fears that Turkey may fill the vacuum and seize control of more strategic assets in post-conflict Syria. Also Read Lebanese PM visits Damascus to reset ties with Syria According to U.S. defense officials, the decision has been communicated to Israeli counterparts, with plans to start the withdrawal by the end of May. Currently, U.S. forces maintain 17 bases and 13 military posts across Syria, the majority of which are located in the northeast. While the withdrawal will be gradual, officials indicate that at least one major U.S. base may remain operational. Between 2014 and 2017, the U.S. Department of Defense announced the deployment of approximately 2,000 American troops to Syrian territory as part of the campaign against ISIS. Following the terrorist group's defeat, former President Donald Trump reduced the number to around 900 troops during his first term, particularly after the U.S. pullback that coincided with Turkey's launch of "Operation Peace Spring" against Kurdish armed groups in northeastern Syria in October 2019. With the fall of the Assad regime and Iran's defeat in Syria, the primary role of U.S. forces shifted to countering residual ISIS cells. Now, under a new Syrian government supported by regional and European actors, the U.S. is signaling a more serious intention to exit, aligning with repeated calls from Donald Trump, who has long maintained that 'Washington has no stake in Syria.'
Shafaq News
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Turkiye neutralizes 7 PKK fighters in KRI and Syria
Shafaq News / On Friday, Turkiye "neutralized" seven members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), in operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and northern Syria. Turkish authorities use the term "neutralized" to refer to individuals who have been killed, captured, or surrendered. According to the Turkish Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces neutralized three PKK fighters in the Haftanin and Operation Claw-Lock regions in northern Iraq, and four others in the Operation Peace Spring zone of Syria. Terörist neredeyse hedefimiz orası!Kahraman Türk Silahlı Kuvvetlerimiz, Irak'ın kuzeyindeki Haftanin ve Pençe-Kilit Operasyonu bölgelerinde tespit ettiği 3 PKK'lı terörist ile Suriye'nin kuzeyindeki Barış Pınarı bölgesinde belirlediği 4 PKK/YPG'li teröristi etkisiz hâle… — T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) February 14, 2025 In another statement on X, the ministry revealed the discovery of a cave used by the PKK in the Claw-Lock region containing a large number of weapons, ammunition, and supplies, all of which were rendered unusable. Earlier this week, Turkish forces 'neutralized' five PKK in an airstrike in the Gara region of the Kurdistan Region. In 2024, Turkiye neutralized about 3,000 PKK fighters.
Shafaq News
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Turkiye 'neutralizes' three PKK members in northern Syria
Shafaq News/ On Monday, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that it 'neutralized' three Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) members in northern Syria. Turkish authorities use the term "neutralized" to refer to individuals who have been killed, captured, or surrendered. The ministry said in a statement that 'Turkish army units targeted the militants in areas controlled by Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria.' Notably, Turkiye has conducted several military operations in northern Syria in cooperation with the Syrian National Army, including Euphrates Shield in 2016, Olive Branch in 2018, and Peace Spring in 2019, targeting 'PKK elements and ISIS.' The Turkish Defense Ministry continues to conduct strikes against PKK/YPG elements, citing concerns over "border security and preventing militant activity near Turkish-controlled areas," and what it calls "efforts by PKK-affiliated groups to destabilize the region."
Shafaq News
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Turkish Army neutralizes 4 PKK members in Syria
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced the neutralization of four members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Syria. The ministry stated on X that the PKK members 'opened harassing fire to disrupt the peace and security environment in the Peace Spring region in northern Syria.' Earlier today, the Turkish ministry revealed in another statement that 'as a result of air operations conducted in northern Iraq between January 29 and February 7, 2025, a total of 11 PKK terrorists were neutralized, including 7 in the Gara region and 4 in the Hakurk region.' The term "neutralized" is commonly used by Turkish officials to indicate that individuals have been killed, captured, or have surrendered. Turkish forces, in cooperation with the Syrian National Army, have carried out several military operations in northern Syria, including Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016, Operation Olive Branch in 2018, and Operation Peace Spring in 2019, targeting ISIS and the PKK. Since the start of summer 2024, the Turkish military has intensified operations in the region, targeting PKK positions and fortifications in the Matin Mountain range with warplanes and drones. In response, PKK fighters have stayed entrenched in caves and mountain shelters, hindering the success of Turkish operations. The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has been engaged in an armed struggle against the Turkish state since the 1980s, seeking greater autonomy for the Kurdish population in Turkiye. This decades-long conflict has led to tens of thousands of deaths, with Turkiye conducting cross-border military operations to target PKK strongholds in Iraq and YPG positions in Syria, both of which Ankara views as extensions of the PKK.
Shafaq News
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Turkiye neutralizes 13 PKK members in KRI, Syria
Shafaq News/ On Friday, the Turkish army neutralized 13 members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and Syria. The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced in a post on X that the army neutralized six PKK fighters in the Gara region of KRI, and seven others in Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Peace Spring areas in northern Syria. Ara, bul, yok et! Kahraman Türk Silahlı Kuvvetlerimiz, Irak'ın kuzeyindeki Gara bölgesinde tespit ettiği 6 PKK'lı terörist ile Suriye'nin kuzeyindeki Barış Pınarı ve Fırat Kalkanı bölgesinde belirlediği 7 PKK/YPG'li teröristi etkisiz hâle getirdi. Teröristler, her nerede… — T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) January 31, 2025 No further details were provided yet. Turkish authorities use the term 'neutralize' to indicate that the individuals were either killed, wounded, or captured. Operation Euphrates Shield (Fırat Kalkanı), launched on August 24, 2016, and concluded on March 29, 2017, targeted both Islamic State militants and Kurdish forces in northern Syria. The operation resulted in the capture of key territories such as Jarabulus, al-Bab, and Dabiq, with Turkish forces securing an area of approximately 2,055 square kilometers. Operation Peace Spring (Barış Pınarı), initiated by Turkiye on October 9, 2019, and wrapped up by November 25, 2019, aimed to establish a "safe zone" along the Turkish-Syrian border by driving Kurdish forces out of the region. During the operation, Turkish forces and their allies seized strategic locations including Ras al-Ayn, Tell Abyad, and portions of the crucial M4 highway, gaining control of around 4,820 square kilometers. Notably, Turkiye conducts operations to combat the PKK, which targets its forces and citizens and operates in several countries in the region, including Iraq, Syria, and Iran. The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has been engaged in an armed struggle against the Turkish state since the 1980s, seeking greater autonomy for the Kurdish population in Turkiye. This decades-long conflict has led to tens of thousands of deaths, with Turkiye conducting cross-border military operations to target PKK strongholds in Iraq and YPG positions in Syria, both of which Ankara views as extensions of the PKK.
