30-Kilometer Security Zone: Erdoğan Discusses His Plans on Syria

Turkey is determined to establish a 30-kilometer security zone along its border with Syria. This was stated by Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan before his departure to Turkmenistan, where a trilateral summit will be held on December 14 with the participation of the President of Azerbaijan, according to TASS.

“I always say that the location and date of such actions should not be specified. At the same time, the objectives of the agreements, based on the Sochi memorandum, that we reached with Russian President Vladimir Putin are known. I reminded him of this again,” Erdoğan told reporters, referring to his recent phone conversation with his Russian counterpart on Sunday.

“We asked for their support in the possible adoption of joint decisions and, possibly, in their implementation,” he added.

“Our goal is clear: to create a 30-kilometer security line south of our borders, from where, unfortunately, the terrorist threat comes. Recently, it has significantly increased; we cannot remain silent in such a situation,” said the Turkish president.

Earlier, Erdoğan stated that the purpose of the planned operations in the surrounding area is to complete the establishment of the 30-kilometer security line.

According to Turkish media, the new operation will allow Ankara to ensure control over a 600-kilometer section of the Syrian border and minimize terrorist threats emanating from adjacent territories. The main threats to national security in Ankara are the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its Syrian branch, the People's Protection Units (YPG).

According to military sources, around 50,000 Turkish soldiers and fighters from the Syrian armed opposition, supported by Ankara, are expected to be involved in the operation.

As a result of operations conducted by Turkey in northern Syria since 2015, a security zone has been established between the towns of Azaz and Jarabulus in the north of Aleppo, Afrin has been occupied, and border territories east of the Euphrates River have come under Turkish control.