Military escalation in Syria worsens. After the airstrike - possibly carried out by the Russians, or by the government -, in Idlib (north-west area of Syria) in which 29 Turkish soldiers were killed, Ankara launched a new offensive in Syria two days ago: operation spring shield.
This is the first operation against the Syrian regular army, therefore a serious violation of international law prohibiting the war of aggression. Although the Turks cover themselves behind Article 51 of the United Nations Charter which allows the use of force to defend themselves.
For months, the Turkish Armed Forces have been engaged in Syrian territory in order to counter Kurdish independence (according to President Erdoğan, this is an "anti-terrorism" operation). However, the attack launched on March XNUMX by Turkish forces is directed against the Syrian army engaged in the reconquest of Idlib, stronghold of al-Nustra jihadists.
The Turkish operation was launched to protect Syrian civilians from Assad government attacks, and is aimed at allowing a permanent ceasefire. This is what Defense Minister Akar said in an official government note:
“Our main goals are a lasting ceasefire and stability. But no one should have doubts that we will respond relentlessly in the most aggressive way to any attack on our troops, observation posts and military deployments in the context of self-defense ".
Ankara therefore insists on compliance with the Sochi agreements between Putin and Erdoğan, in which the province of Idlib falls within the Turkish area of influence and where the Turkish Army has pledged to dismantle the jihadist militias.
Photo: Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri
