The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have accused Turkey of fuelling the conflict in the country with its new threats. The announcement of a new invasion along the southern border aims to undermine stability in the region and to activate sleeper cells of the terrorist militia Islamic State, the SDF said in a statement.

On Monday evening, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a new war of aggression against the autonomous areas of Northern and Eastern Syria. The "military operation" on Turkey's southern border will begin soon, Erdoğan said. The aim is to create a 30-kilometer "security zone" to combat "terrorist threats" from the region. This would also make cities like Kobanê or Qamishlo possible targets for the Turkish state to attack.

"The main target of these operations will be areas that are attacking our country," Erdoğan announced without going into detail. The operation would start as soon as the military, intelligence and security forces had completed their preparations. Turkey's National Security Council is due to decide on another intervention on Thursday.

The SDF said that its affiliates are “assessing the extent and credibility of the threat” and that the situation is being continuously monitored. An intensive exchange of information on current developments is taking place with the guarantor powers Russia and the United States.

Wars of aggression in 2016, 2018 and 2019

In the past, Turkey has repeatedly acted in violation of international law against the Autonomous Administration areas in northern Syria, which are mostly inhabited by Kurds. In the course of three wars of aggression in 2016, 2018 and 2019, large parts of the border strip were occupied by the Turkish state and jihadist allies of the NATO member country, and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced. Instead of the traditional population, Islamist militias from all over the world and their relatives have been settled in Turkish-occupied areas.