Turkish occupation of northern Syria: Difference between revisions

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Another debate was about the name of the safe zone. While Turkey called the zone a 'safe zone from ISIS, the Syrian regime and YPG,' the US, however, declared that they will only accept an 'ISIS-free zone'.<ref name="reuters.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-usa-idUSKCN0QG1UG20150811|title=U.S. denies reaching agreement with Turkey on Syria 'safe zone'|date=11 August 2015|publisher=|accessdate=31 May 2016|via=Reuters}}</ref>
Another debate was about the name of the safe zone. While Turkey called the zone a 'safe zone from ISIS, the Syrian regime and YPG,' the US, however, declared that they will only accept an 'ISIS-free zone'.<ref name="reuters.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-usa-idUSKCN0QG1UG20150811|title=U.S. denies reaching agreement with Turkey on Syria 'safe zone'|date=11 August 2015|publisher=|accessdate=31 May 2016|via=Reuters}}</ref>

Contrary to the view many, it’s not just the Kurds who don’t want Turkish troops to deploy again in Syria. There is fierce opposition to the Turkish plan by virtually all components of Syrian society, including [[Arabs]], [[Kurds]], [[Turkmen]], [[Circassians]], and Christians. (Although those who are perhaps most bitterly opposed to the deployment of Turkish troops are [[Syriac]] and [[Assyrian Christians]]. For many of these groups the U.S. presence in Syria is very welcomed. Statements from the U.S. Deputy Assistant of Defense [[Michael Mulroy]] that the U.S. is there "for the long haul" were very welcome. <ref>https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/descendants-survivors-syriac-christians-oppose-turkish-‘safe-zone’-syria</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==

Revision as of 19:44, 15 June 2019

This article is about the
TFSA advance westwards, see Operation Olive Branch. For other uses, see Turkish military intervention in Syria. For the 1939 annexation of the Hatay Province, see Sanjak of Alexandretta and Hatay State
.
Northern Syrian Security Belt
الحزام الامني السوري الشمالي (
Arabic)
al-Hizām al-amnī al-sūrī al-shamālī
Suriye'de Güvenli Bölge (Turkish
)
Flag of Northern Syrian Security Belt
• President
Abdurrahman Mustafa[6]
• Prime Minister
Jawad Abu Hatab[7]
Self-governance under military occupation
24 August 2016
20 January 2018
Area
• Total
1,500[8] sq mi (3,900 km2)
CurrencySyrian pound, Turkish lira,[2] United States dollar

The

decentralized native local councils and Turkish military administration
.

Turkish-controlled areas of Syria consists of a 3,460-square-kilometre area which encompasses around 499 settlements, including towns such as

Turkish government, although some towns such as Azaz were under the control of the Syrian opposition before Turkish intervention. The Syrian Interim Government moved into the Turkish-controlled territories and began to extend partial authority there, including providing documents to Syrian citizens. Since May 2017, Turkey begun considering the area a Safe Zone.[11][12][13][14]

Background

2013–14 proposals for Safe Zone

Main article: Safe Zone (Syria)
Situation in 2014. Turkey proposed to establish a safe zone in Syria between Kobane (pink) and Afrin (light blue) for several years.

no fly zone.[17][18]

European support

After the attacks of ISIL in

Sunnis, Christians and Yazidis fled to Turkey. In the beginning of 2015, refugees began to cross Turkish-Greek border, escaping to European countries in massive numbers. The huge refugee flow resulted in reconsidering the creation of a safe zone for civilians in Syria.[19] In February 2016, Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel said, "In the current situation it would be helpful if there could be such an area where none of the parties are allowed to launch aerial attacks – that is to say, a kind of no-fly zone".[20]

U.S.-Turkish negotiations

The creation of the safe zone failed in early 2016 due to disagreements between the United States and Turkish governments, primarily on which actor is to be eliminated first. While Turkey wanted the

Syrian government to be overthrown as soon as possible, the US prioritised the war against ISIL. The US also feared that the Syrian Air Force would bomb the area, which would make the idea of a safe zone impracticable. The government rejected the safe zone for being a safe haven for both civilians and rebels.[citation needed
]

Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army fighters at the building in Afrin that had hosted the PYD-led government of Afrin Region
, 18 March 2018

The outline of the safe zone was another reason for the disagreement. According to Turkey, the safe zone should include a no fly zone, whereas the US rejected establishing a no-fly zone, which would bring a conflict with the Syrian government.[21]

Turkey considers the Kurdish

PKK. On the other hand, the US asserted that although they deem the PKK as a terrorist organisation, the YPG is a distinct actor, constituting one of the main allies of the US in its war against ISIL.[22]

Another debate was about the name of the safe zone. While Turkey called the zone a 'safe zone from ISIS, the Syrian regime and YPG,' the US, however, declared that they will only accept an 'ISIS-free zone'.[23]

Contrary to the view many, it’s not just the Kurds who don’t want Turkish troops to deploy again in Syria. There is fierce opposition to the Turkish plan by virtually all components of Syrian society, including

Michael Mulroy that the U.S. is there "for the long haul" were very welcome. [24]

Geography

The territory of the Turkish-controlled region is entirely located within the northern areas of the Aleppo Governorate, with the southern tip of the territory located 40 kilometres northeast of Aleppo. On 26 February 2018, the territory connected with the mostly rebel-held Idlib Governorate.[25]

Qebbet al-Turkmen; Ghandoura; Arab Hassan Sabghir; Mahsenli; Qabasin
and Halwanji.

File:Turkish soldiers conduct patrol on outside Manbij, Syria.jpg
Turkish soldiers conduct patrol on outside Manbij, 11 September 2018

Following Operation Olive Branch, Turkish-backed forces extended the region with the capture of the entire Afrin District.[27] In addition to its administrative centre Afrin, the district includes settlements such as Bulbul, Maabatli, Rajo, Jindires, Sharran and Shaykh al-Hadid. According to the 2004 Syrian census, the district had a population of 172,095 before the war.[28]

There are further intentions by the Turkish government to include the areas captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces during their offensive west of the Euphrates into the safe zone, which includes settlements such as Manbij and Arima.[29][30]

Demographics

The Turkish-controlled region is ethnically diverse, inhabited predominately by

Kurds and Yazidis, with Circassian minorities near Azaz.[31] More than 200,000 people had fled from Afrin District during the Turkish intervention by March 2018.[32]

Politics and administration

Further information: Syrian Interim Government

The occupation zone is formally governed by the

proto-state in northern Syria,[7] and regional expert Joshua Landis has argued that the country "is prepared to, in a sense, quasi-annex this region" to prevent it from being retaken by the Syrian government.[1] Turkish Minister of the Interior Süleyman Soylu declared in January 2019 that northern Syria is "part of the Turkish homeland" per the Misak-ı Millî of 1920.[36]

Since the start of its intervention in Syria, Turkey has striven to rebuild destroyed areas under its control (pictured: devastated neighborhood of al-Bab) and restore civil society.[37]

Since the establishment of the zone, the Turkish authorities have striven to restore civil society in the areas under their control[37] and to also bind the region more closely to Turkey.[5][2][38] As part of these efforts, towns and villages have been demilitarized by dismantling military checkpoints and moving the local militias to barracks and camps outside areas populated by civilians.[37] Turkey also funds education and health services, supports the region's economy, and has trained a new police force.[2][38] Some locals describe these developments as "Turkification" of the region. However, many locals have accepted or even welcomed this, as they believed that the area is better off economically, politically, and socially under a Turkish protectorate.[1]

Local government

Local councils form the primary government of the zone, and operate largely autonomous.[34]

Following the conquest of Afrin District, civilian councils were formed to govern and rebuild the area. A first temporary council was organised by the Turkish-backed

Turkmen. Zuheyr Haydar, a Kurdish representative who was appointed to serve as president of the council, stated that a more democratic election would take place if displaced citizens return. PYD officials have criticised the council and accused it of working with an “occupying force”.[42] On 19 April, a local council was established in Jindires.[43]

Resettlement policy

After the Turkish-led forces had captured

Ghouta, Damascus, said that they were part of "an organised demographic change" which was supposed to replace the Kurdish population of Afrin with an Arab majority.[44]

Military

Main article:
Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army
Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army
in 2016

On 30 May 2017,

Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (or National Syrian Army) composed of Syrian Arab and Syrian Turkmen rebels operating in northern Syria was formed, mostly being a part of Operation Euphrates Shield or groups active in the area that are allied to the groups participating in the operation.[48][49] The general aim of the group is to assist Turkey in creating a "safe zone" in Syria and to establish a National Army, which will operate in the land gained as a result of Turkish military intervention[50] and answer to the Syrian Interim Government.[37]

By August 2018, the TFSA was considered to be an "organized military bloc" that had largely overcome the chronic factionalism which had traditionally affected the Syrian rebels. Military colleges had been set up, and training as well as discipline had been improved.[38] Though clashes and inter-unit violence still happened,[35][7] they were no longer as serious as in the past. A military court had been established in al-Bab, a military police was organized to oversee discipline,[38][7] and local civilian authorities were given more power over the militant groups. Nevertheless, most militias have attempted to maintain their autonomy to some degree, with the Interim Government having little actual control over them. To achieve the formation of a new national army without risking a mutiny, Turkey has applied soft pressure on the different groups while punishing only the most independent-minded and disloyal among them.[7] The FSA units in the zone have accepted the Istanbul-based "Syrian Islamic Council" as religious authority.[37] TFSA fighters are paid salaries by the Turkish government, though the falling value of Turkish lira began to cause resentment among the TFSA by mid-2018. One fighter noted that "when the Turkish lira began to lose value against the Syrian pound our salaries became worthless".[2]

Turkish and U.S. soldiers conduct the joint patrol outside Manbij, 1 November 2018

By July 2018, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have built "at least" six military bases in the zone, "raising concerns that [the TAF] may be settling in for a long-term presence in northern Syria".[8]

Law enforcement

Turkey has organized a new law enforcement authority in the zone in early 2017, the "Free Police" which is divided into the National Police and Public Security Forces. The Free Police includes both male as well as female officers.[51] It is trained, equipped, and paid by Turkish authorities,[51] and consequently loyal to the Turkish state.[52][53]

The National Police, headed by Maj. Gen. Abdul Razzaq Aslan, is further divided into the Civil Police Force and the Special Forces. Most of the police members are trained in the Turkish National Police Academy.[38] To maintain security in Afrin District, Turkey has also employed former members of the Free East Ghouta Police who had relocated to northern Syria after the end of the Siege of Eastern Ghouta.[54]

Economy

By July 2018, Turkey was playing an "increasingly prominent—and contentious—role in the region's local economy."

currency and debt crisis has also affected the zone, as Turkey pays salaries and services with Turkish lira whose value greatly dropped in course of 2018, harming the local economy.[2][38]

Tourism

Further information: Tourism in Syria

As result of the Turkish-led invasion, Afrin's tourism sector which had survived the civil war up to that point, collapsed. After open combat between the SDF and pro-Turkish forces had mostly concluded, Turkey attempted to restablize the region and to revive the local tourism. It removed the tight control over visitors and passers that had previously existed under the PYD-led administration, and the new local councils and the Free Police attempted to provide stability and incentives for tourists to return. By July 2018, these measures began to have an effect, with some visitors coming to Afrin's popular recreational areas, such as

Maydanki Lake.[55]

Education

Turkey has taken "full control over the educational process" in the zone,[38] and funds all education services.[2] Several schools have been restored or newly built, with their curricula partially adjusted to education in Turkey: Though the curricula of the Syrian Ministry of Education still provide the basis, certain parts have been modified to fit the Turkish point of view in regard to history, for example replacing "Ottoman occupation" with "Ottoman rule".[38] Turkish is taught as foreign language since first class and those who attend schools in the occupation zones can subsequently attend universities in Turkey.[5][1][38]

Reactions

Reactions within Syria

  • Shahba region civilian council condemned the occupation of Jarabulus as a Turkish attempt to expand into Syria, likening it to the Battle of Marj Dabiq and suggesting that Jarabulus would become a "grave for the criminal occupier Erdoğan and his mercenaries".[56]
  • Kurdistan Region Kurdish National Council – The ENKS has called for the expulsion of Turkish forces from Afrin.[57] ENKS voiced its support for the establishment of an ethnically-diverse local council in Afrin.[58]

International reaction

  •  Azerbaijan – Qənirə Paşayeva, member of parliament, said on 3 September that Turkey would have an obligation to protect the civilians in northern Syria from terror groups and would have the right to protect itself from the attacks originating from Syria with the intervention.[59]
  •  Cyprus – The Cyprus House of Representatives on 9 September unanimously adopted a resolution condemning "the unacceptable invasion of Turkey into Syria, under the pretext of war against terrorism." It also called on the international community to demand Turkey's withdrawal from Syria.[60]
  •  
    Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi on 31 August urged Ankara to quickly wrap up its military intervention in Syria, saying it was an "unacceptable" violation of Syrian sovereignty.[61]
  •  
    Islamic State.[62]
  •  
    Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday March 30th, 2018, adding that it would also clear militants from Iraq.[63]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Madeline Edwards (6 August 2018). "As Syria's proxies converge on Idlib, what's next for Turkey's northern state-within-a-state?". SYRIA:direct and Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Khalil Ashawi (28 August 2018). "Falling lira hits Syrian enclave backed by Turkey". Reuters. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  3. ^ ANF (29 March 2019). "ID cards of civilians replaced with Turkish ID cards in Afrin". Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firatê. ANF News. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^
    Spiegel Online
    . Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  6. ^ [2] SMDK Başkanı Seyf istifa etti
  7. ^ a b c d e f Haid Haid (2 November 2018). "Turkey's Gradual Efforts to Professionalize Syrian Allies". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d Barrett Limoges; Justin Clark; Avery Edelman (29 July 2018). "What's next for post-Islamic State Syria? A month-long reporting series from Syria Direct". Syria Direct, Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  9. ^ Sirwan Kajjo (2 March 2017). "Skirmishes Mar Fight Against IS in Northern Syria". Voice of America. Turkish occupation "is an existential threat to the Assad government's ability to reclaim the entirety of its territory, which is a key argument that regime loyalists make in their support of Bashar al-Assad's government," Heras said.
  10. ^ Robert Fisk (29 March 2017). "In northern Syria, defeated Isis fighters leave behind only scorched earth, trenches – and a crucifixion stand". The Independent. You can't mistake the front line between the Syrian army and Turkey's occupation force east of Aleppo.
  11. ^ [3]
  12. ^ [4]
  13. ^ [5]
  14. ^ [6]
  15. ^ "Turkey PM 'will support' Syria no-fly zone". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  16. ^ "Syrian opposition calls for no-fly zone". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  17. ^ Tisdall, Simon (27 July 2015). "Syrian safe zone: US relents to Turkish demands after border crisis grows". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  18. ^ "DIPLOMACY - US and Turkey agree to forge 'ISIL-free zone' in Syria, official confirms". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  19. ^ "Solution to refugee crisis is to end Syria's civil war, UN official says". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  20. ^ Wintour, Patrick (16 February 2016). "Turkey revives plan for safe zone in Syria to stem flow of refugees". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  21. ^ "National Security Zone". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  22. ^ "Fight against IS helps PKK gain global legitimacy - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East". 16 September 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  23. ^ "U.S. denies reaching agreement with Turkey on Syria 'safe zone'". 11 August 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2016 – via Reuters.
  24. ^ https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/descendants-survivors-syriac-christians-oppose-turkish-‘safe-zone’-syria
  25. ^ [7]
  26. ^ [8]
  27. ^ [9]
  28. ^ "General Census of Population and Housing 2004" (PDF) (in Arabic). Syrian Central Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) Also available in English: "2004 Census Data". UN OCHA. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  29. ^ Suzan Fraser: Turkish leader threatens more involvement on Syrian border, The Washington Post, October 26 at 3:01 PM
  30. ^ [10]
  31. ^ Izady, Michael. "Syria: Ethnic Composition (summary)". columbia.edu. University of Columbia. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  32. ^ "More than 200,000 people fled Syria's Afrin, have no shelter: Kurdish official". Reuters. 19 March 2018.
  33. ^ [11]
  34. ^ a b Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (23 August 2018). "In Syria, It's Either Reconciliation or Annexation". The American Spectator. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  35. ^ a b Borzou Daragahi (13 July 2018). "Turkey Has Made a Quagmire for Itself in Syria". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  36. ^ a b Rawa Barwari (13 January 2019). "Turkish sub-governor found dead at office in Syria's occupied Jarabulus". Kurdistan24. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  37. ^ a b c d e Khaled al-Khateb (12 September 2017). "FSA relocating to outside Syria's liberated areas". al-Monitor. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Enab Baladi's Investigation Team (29 August 2018). "From Afrin to Jarabulus: A small replica of Turkey in the north". Enab Baladi. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  39. ^ Mohammad Abdulssattar Ibrahim; Alice Al Maleh; Tariq Adely (26 March 2018). "Interim governing council formed to tackle 'disaster' in Afrin after Turkish-backed offensive". SYRIA:direct. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  40. ^ [12]
  41. ^ [13]
  42. ^ [14]
  43. ^ [15]
  44. ^ a b c Patrick Cockburn (18 April 2018). "Yazidis who suffered under Isis face forced conversion to Islam amid fresh persecution in Afrin". The Independent. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  45. ^ a b c Ammar Hamou; Barrett Limoges (1 May 2018). "Seizing lands from Afrin's displaced Kurds, Turkish-backed militias offer houses to East Ghouta families". SYRIA:direct. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  46. ^ "Syria's war of ethnic cleansing: Kurds threatened with beheading by Turkey's allies if they don't convert to extremism". The Independent. 12 March 2018.
  47. ^ "Turkey-backed opposition to form new army in northern Syria".
  48. ^ "Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army eliminates 'terrorist microbes' along Syrian border". RT. 5 September 2016.
  49. ^ Kajjo, Sirwan (25 August 2016). "Who are the Turkey backed Syrian Rebels?". Voice of America.
  50. ^ Coskun, Orhan; Sezer, Seda (19 September 2016). "Turkey-backed rebels could push further south in Syria, Erdogan says". Reuters.
  51. ^ a b Khaled al-Khateb (1 December 2017). "Women join opposition police forces in Aleppo's liberated areas". al-Monitor. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  52. ^ Stein, Aaron; Abouzahr, Hossam; Komar, Rao (20 July 2017). "How Turkey Is Governing in Northern Aleppo". Syria Deeply. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  53. ^ Amberin Zaman (25 January 2017). "Syria's new national security force pledges loyalty to Turkey". al-Monitor. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  54. ^ Bahira al-Zarier; Justin Clark; Mohammad Abdulssattar Ibrahim; Ammar Hamou (14 May 2018). "Hidden explosives stunt movement, frighten Afrin residents two months into pro-Turkish rule". SYRIA:direct. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  55. ^ Khaled al-Khateb (26 July 2018). "Day trippers flock to Afrin's orchards as Aleppo restores security". al-Monitor. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  56. ^ "Kurdish-backed council says Turkey's intervention to make Syrian town "grave for Erdoğan troops"". ARA News. 26 August 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  57. ^ [16]
  58. ^ [17]
  59. ^ sitesi, milliyet.com.tr Türkiye'nin lider haber. "AZERBAYCAN MİLLETVEKİLİ PAŞAYEVA:". MİLLİYET HABER – TÜRKİYE'NİN HABER SİTESİ. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  60. ^ "Cyprus House condemns Turkey's invasion of Syria". Famagusta Gazette. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  61. ^ "Iran urges Turkey to quickly end Syria intervention". France24. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  62. ^ France's Macron Vows Support for Northern Syrians, Kurdish Militia, New York Times, March 30th, 2018.
  63. ^ Turkey Started Preparations for Further Operations in Northern Syria: Erdoğan, New York Times, March 30th, 2018.
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