Operation Euphrates Shield

💮💮 operation Euphrates Shield was a military operation conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces and Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces in northern Syria in 2016-2017. The operation was aimed at countering the threat of ISIS and other terrorist organizations in the region and ensuring the security of Turkey's borders.

👉The operation was launched on August 24, 2016, following a series of terrorist attacks in Turkey that were attributed to ISIS. Turkish forces crossed the border into northern Syria and began targeting ISIS positions and infrastructure in the area. They were joined by Syrian opposition fighters who had been trained and equipped by Turkey.

👉The operation was initially successful, with Turkish forces and their allies capturing the border town of Jarabulus and advancing towards the city of Al-Bab, which was a key ISIS stronghold in the region. However, the operation was not without its challenges. Turkish forces faced stiff resistance from ISIS fighters, who had dug in and fortified their positions in the area.

👉In addition to fighting ISIS, Turkish forces also had to contend with other actors in the region, including Syrian government forces and Kurdish militias. Turkey has long been at odds with the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which it views as a terrorist organization due to its links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a Kurdish separatist group that has been fighting for autonomy in Turkey for decades.

👉The YPG, which had been fighting ISIS in the region with the support of the United States, saw the Turkish intervention as a hostile act and clashed with Turkish-backed opposition fighters. The situation was further complicated by the involvement of Russian and Iranian forces, who were supporting the Syrian government in its fight against ISIS and other opposition groups.

👉Despite these challenges, Turkish forces and their allies were able to make significant gains in the region. They successfully captured Al-Bab from ISIS in February 2017, and Turkish forces established a buffer zone along the border to prevent the YPG from expanding its control in the area. The operation officially ended on March 29, 2017, with Turkish forces withdrawing from the region.

👉Operation Euphrates Shield was significant for several reasons. It marked the first time that Turkish forces had conducted a military operation in Syria, and it demonstrated Turkey's determination to protect its borders and prevent terrorist organizations from threatening its security. It also highlighted the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region, with various actors competing for control and influence in Syria.

👉However, the operation was not without controversy. Turkey's involvement in Syria was criticized by some in the international community, who viewed it as an infringement of Syria's sovereignty. There were also concerns about the human cost of the operation, with reports of civilian casualties and displacement.

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👉Operation Euphrates Shield was a military operation conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces and Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces in northern Syria in 2016-2017. The operation was aimed at countering the threat of ISIS and other terrorist organizations in the region and ensuring the security of Turkey's borders. While the operation was successful in achieving some of its objectives, it was also marked by significant challenges and controversy.