Turkey Announces Military Fortification Plan Along Syrian Border: Shells YPG Positions, More Combat Expected
Category: Conflict
Severity: 3 (Moderate)
Source: Drum Cussac
01/18/2018 (Syria) - According to national news reports on Thursday, 18 January, Turkish forces have begun the first of a series of actions, in what is reported part of a military fortification plan, with artillery strikes targeting Kurdish YPG (Peoples' Protection Units) fighters in Afrin. The military fortification plan has consisted of a convoy of main battle tanks and armoured personnel carriers as well as support staff sent to the Turkish Syrian border. It comes after Turkish President Erdogan vowed on Sunday to remove terrorist cells from the country's southern border whilst the US has recently announced it is considering arming the YPG on the Syrian Turkish border. In the past US Special Forces, advisors have sported YPG badges on their uniform showing their support for the group. YPG, in turn, has shelled Turkish forces near Afrin and the region has seen clashes between the two groups.
Clients are currently advised to reconsider all travel to Syria given the extreme conflict risk. All travel outside of secure compounds should be undertaken on an operationally-critical basis only in coordination with local authorities and trusted security providers. Those in Syria should continually review crisis management plans and security procedures to ensure they remain commensurate with the current local threat environment.
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