The Syrian army has reinforced its presence in Kobani and Ain Issa in northern Syria in coordination with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), following Turkish threats of an incursion into the area, Reuters reports.
Turkey has pledged to launch a new operation in northern Syria to create a 30-km buffer along the border between the two countries in order to push back Kurdish fighters that make up the bulk of the U.S.-backed SDF.
Syria’s foreign ministry has repeatedly warned Ankara against a new incursion. Its ally Iran said it would try to mediate a diplomatic resolution between Syria and Turkey, and on Tuesday (July19) hosted a tripartite summit with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But Erdogan said a Turkish offensive would remain on the table until its security concerns regarding Kurdish armed groups along the border – which it considers terrorists – are addressed.
Those threats appear to have prompted more coordination between the SDF and the Syrian army, with troops loyal to Damascus expanding their presence in areas where the Kurdish fighters are present.
SDF commander Mazlum Abdi told Reuters earlier this year that he hoped the Syrian military would use its air defence systems against Turkish warplanes in the event of air strikes against the SDF.
