Why Turkey is invading Syria

Summary

The video script details the complex geopolitical situation in Syria, particularly focusing on Turkey's military operations and the establishment of a 'safe zone' in Northeast Syria. Starting with the backdrop of Syria's descent into conflict in 2011, the script outlines the rise of ISIS and the subsequent formation of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which received US support. It then delves into Turkey's concerns about Kurdish influence, the PKK's role, and President Erdoğan's strategic moves to counter Kurdish expansion. The economic and political pressures in Turkey, including the refugee crisis and Erdoğan's declining popularity, are highlighted. The summary explains the concept of the safe zone, its proposed purpose, and the international response. It concludes with the US withdrawal from Syria, Turkey's subsequent invasion, and the ensuing chaos, including the potential escape of ISIS prisoners and the emerging power vacuum being filled by new alliances and forces.

Takeaways

• 🇹🇷 Turkey launched an invasion into northern Syria on October 9th, 2019, initiating a military operation to create a 'safe zone'.
• 💥 The invasion led to significant civilian displacement, with an estimated 160,000 people fleeing the conflict in the border area.
• 🔄 Turkey's push into Syria is part of a long-standing desire to establish control over a strip of land in Northeast Syria to serve as a buffer zone.
• ⚔️ The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, created a power vacuum that allowed ISIS to establish a stronghold in the north.
• 🛡️ Kurdish militias, with the support of the US, formed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and successfully pushed back against ISIS, establishing a Kurdish-led territory.
• 🏭 The SDF set up prisons for captured ISIS fighters and camps for displaced ISIS family members, while US military bases were established in the region.
• 🧐 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan views the rise of the Kurds as a threat due to the activities of the PKK, a Kurdish separatist group in Turkey.
• 🔄 Erdoğan has launched multiple attacks on Kurds in Syria, aiming to prevent Kurdish expansion and the potential spread of Kurdish autonomy aspirations to Turkey.
• 📉 Economic troubles in Turkey, including a trade war with the US and high unemployment, led to a rise in resentment towards Syrian refugees and a decline in Erdoğan's popularity.
• 🗳️ Political pressure and election losses for Erdoğan's party prompted a renewed push for the establishment of the safe zone to regain political favor.
• 🤝 After failed attempts to gain international support, Erdoğan used the withdrawal of US troops as an opportunity to invade northeastern Syria, leading to further destabilization and chaos.
• 🔄 The power vacuum created by the US withdrawal and Turkey's invasion has led to new alliances and deals, including one between the Kurds and the Syrian government, affecting the future of Syria.

Q & A

What event marked the beginning of Turkey's invasion of northern Syria?

The invasion began with Turkish airstrikes on October 9th, 2019.

What is the estimated number of civilians who have fled the fighting in the border area?

At least 160,000 civilians are believed to have fled the fighting.

What is the so-called 'safe zone' that Turkey has wanted to establish in Syria?

The 'safe zone' is a strip of land in Northeast Syria that Turkey wants to turn into a buffer area, allegedly for moving Syrian refugees.

How did the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) contribute to the fight against ISIS?

The SDF, with the backing of the US, successfully fought against ISIS, pushing them back and breaking their stronghold in the north.

Why does Turkey view the rise of the Kurds in Syria as a threat?

Turkey sees the rise of the Kurds as a threat due to the activities of the PKK, a Kurdish separatist group in Turkey that has fought for Kurdish autonomy for decades.

What was the first major Turkish military operation against the Kurds in Syria?

The first major operation was in 2016 when Turkish troops attacked northwest Syria to push back ISIS and block Kurdish expansion along the border.

How has the economic situation in Turkey affected public opinion regarding the Syrian refugee crisis?

As Turkey's economy slumped, unemployment increased, and many Turks began to disapprove of President Erdoğan and resent the influx of Syrian refugees.

What was the political impact of the local elections in March 2019 on President Erdoğan?

Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party lost 11 mayoral seats, and the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party won 8 mayoral seats, reflecting a significant discomfort with the president.

What was the proposed depth and length of the 'peace corridor' that Erdoğan wanted to establish in Syria?

Erdoğan proposed a peace corridor with a depth of 30km and a length of 480km.

What was the US's stance on the safe zone agreement with Turkey prior to the withdrawal of troops?

The US agreed to a safe zone that they would patrol together with Turkey, extending 5km into northern Syria.

How did the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria impact the region?

The withdrawal created a power vacuum, leading to Turkey's invasion, increased chaos, and the potential for hundreds of ISIS fighters to escape from unguarded prisons.

What new alliance has emerged as a result of the US withdrawal and Turkey's invasion?

The Kurds have made a deal with Syria's President and Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicating a shift in power dynamics in the region.

Outlines

00:00

💥 Turkish Airstrikes and Invasion of Northern Syria

In October 2019, Turkey initiated a military operation in Northeast Syria, resulting in airstrikes and a push for a 'safe zone.' This action displaced at least 160,000 civilians and targeted Kurdish-led territory. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), backed by the US, had previously fought against ISIS, establishing prisons for captured fighters and camps for their families. Turkey's President Erdoğan views the Kurdish rise as a threat, linking them to the PKK, a Kurdish separatist group in Turkey. Previous Turkish attacks on Kurds in Syria were aimed at preventing expansion and the influence of a potential Kurdish-governed territory.

05:04

🗳️ Political Shifts and Erdogan's Pursuit of a 'Safe Zone'

Domestic political pressures in Turkey led President Erdoğan to intensify his push for a 'safe zone' between Turkey and Syria. His party's electoral losses in 2019, partly due to discontent over the refugee influx and the influence of the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party, prompted a need for political recovery. Erdoğan proposed moving Syrian refugees into this zone, an idea not supported by Russia or the US. However, following the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria under President Trump's orders, Turkey seized the opportunity to invade, leading to chaos, displacement, and a potential resurgence of ISIS due to unguarded prisons. The power vacuum created by the US withdrawal is being filled by new alliances, including one between the Kurds, Syria's President, and Russia's President Putin.

Keywords

💡Turkish airstrikes

Turkish airstrikes refer to the military action taken by Turkey on October 9th, 2019, which marked the beginning of Turkey's invasion of northern Syria. These airstrikes were a significant event in the ongoing conflict, leading to the displacement of civilians and further destabilization in the region. The script mentions that these attacks were concentrated in Northeast Syria, which is part of Turkey's long-standing ambition to establish a 'safe zone.'

💡Safe zone

A 'safe zone' in the context of the video refers to a designated area in Northeast Syria that Turkey has been wanting to establish for years. Turkey's intention is to create a buffer region that would potentially house Syrian refugees and act as a barrier against what they perceive as threats from Kurdish-led forces. The concept of a safe zone is central to understanding Turkey's strategic objectives within the Syrian conflict.

💡Kurdish militias

Kurdish militias are ethnically Kurdish armed groups that have been fighting against ISIS and for greater autonomy within Syria. The video explains that these militias, with the support of the US, formed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and were successful in pushing back ISIS. They are a key player in the conflict, with their actions and the US support they receive being viewed as a threat by the Turkish government.

💡ISIS

ISIS, or the Islamic State, is a jihadist militant group that took advantage of the power vacuum in northern Syria to seize control of significant portions of the region. The group is known for its brutal tactics and has been the target of international military efforts, including those led by Kurdish militias with the support of the US. The video highlights the role of ISIS in the Syrian conflict and its eventual weakening by the SDF.

💡Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is a coalition of Kurdish and non-Kurdish militias that was formed in 2015 to combat ISIS. The SDF has been instrumental in breaking the ISIS stronghold in northern Syria and has been supported by the US with air support and ground training. The script emphasizes the SDF's role in the fight against ISIS and their subsequent establishment of prisons and displacement camps.

💡PKK

The PKK, or the Kurdistan Workers' Party, is a Kurdish separatist group in Turkey that has been in conflict with the Turkish government for decades. The group advocates for greater autonomy for Kurds within Turkey. The video explains that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan views the rise of the Kurds in Syria as a threat due to the PKK's alignment with Kurdish forces, fearing that a Kurdish-governed territory in Syria could inspire similar movements within Turkey.

💡Economic downturn in Turkey

The economic downturn in Turkey, as mentioned in the script, is a significant factor that influenced public sentiment and political dynamics within the country. The downturn, attributed to a trade war with the US and economic mismanagement, led to increased unemployment and a search for scapegoats, with many Turks directing their resentment towards Syrian refugees. This economic hardship contributed to the erosion of support for Erdoğan's party and created pressure for political action.

💡Syrian refugees

Syrian refugees are individuals who have been forced to flee their country due to the ongoing armed conflict in Syria. The video states that over six million people have fled the country, with 3.6 million of them seeking refuge in Turkey. The large influx of refugees has put a strain on Turkey's resources and has become a contentious issue, with many Turks blaming the refugees for the country's economic struggles.

💡US troops withdrawal

The withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria is a pivotal moment in the video's narrative. The decision by President Donald Trump to pull out the troops removed a significant obstacle to Turkey's plans for invasion and the establishment of a safe zone. This move is portrayed as a betrayal of the Kurds, who had been allies of the US in the fight against ISIS, and it created a power vacuum in the region.

💡Power vacuum

A power vacuum refers to a situation where there is an absence of authority or governance, often leading to instability or a struggle for control. The video describes the creation of a new power vacuum in northern Syria following the withdrawal of US troops and Turkey's invasion. This vacuum is quickly being filled by other forces, including the Syrian government and Russia, leading to significant changes in the balance of power in the region.

💡Kurdish deal with Syria's President

The Kurdish deal with Syria's President is a strategic move mentioned in the script where the Kurds, facing the withdrawal of US support and the threat of a Turkish invasion, negotiate an agreement with the Syrian government. This deal is a response to the changing dynamics in the region and is aimed at securing some level of protection and autonomy for the Kurdish-led territories.

Highlights

Turkish airstrikes on October 9th 2019 marked the beginning of Turkey's invasion of northern Syria.

At least 160,000 civilians are believed to have fled the fighting in the border area due to the Turkish military operation.

Turkey's aim is to create a so-called safe zone in Northeast Syria.

Syria's descent into armed conflict in 2011 led to a power vacuum in the north, which was exploited by ISIS starting in 2013.

Kurdish militias, backed by the US, successfully fought back against ISIS and expanded Kurdish-led territory.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was formed in 2015 to combat ISIS, leading to the establishment of prisons and displacement camps.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan views the rise of the Kurds in Syria as a threat due to the activities of the PKK in Turkey.

Erdoğan claims the PKK is aligned with Kurdish forces in Syria, posing a risk to Turkey.

Erdoğan has launched multiple attacks on Kurds in Syria to prevent Kurdish expansion and influence.

Turkey's economy crashed due to a trade war with the US and economic mismanagement, leading to unemployment and resentment towards Syrian refugees.

Erdoğan's party lost significant support in local elections in March 2019, reflecting discomfort with his presidency.

Erdoğan proposed a safe zone between Turkey and Syria to move Syrian refugees back into Syria to regain political popularity.

The US and Turkey agreed to a 5km safe zone in northern Syria, but Erdoğan sought a much larger zone.

President Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria, breaking the US alliance with the Kurds.

Turkey's invasion has been brutal and destabilizing, leading to chaos and displacement of Kurds.

The US withdrawal and Turkey's invasion have created a new power vacuum in northern Syria.

The Kurds have made a deal with Syria's President and Russian President Vladimir Putin about the future of Syria.

Transcripts

This plume of smoke is rising from a town in Syria.

A similar scene unfolded in another town

about a hundred kilometers away.

These attacks were the result of Turkish airstrikes on October 9th 2019,

when Turkey's invasion of northern Syria began.

The long-planned Turkish military operation

in Northeast Syria has been launched. Turkey pushing ever deeper into Syria.

At least 160,000 civilians are believed to have fled the

fighting in the border area.

Over the next several days, the Turkish military moved further into Syria

and attacked several other towns.

All of these attacks are concentrated here,

on this strip of land in Northeast Syria.

It's part of an area that Turkey has been

wanting to turn into a so-called safe zone for years.

So what is this safe zone?

And what purpose does it really serve for Turkey?

Syria descended into armed conflict in 2011.

Protests broke out against the country's authoritarian government in major cities.

When the government turned its attention to the uprisings

and violently cracked down, it left a power vacuum in the north.

That's where the jihadist militant group ISIS swept in starting in 2013.

Significant portions of this region, which was home to Syria's

largest ethnic minority group called the Kurds, were eventually conquered by ISIS.

But Kurdish militias successfully fought back.

So the US backed them with air support and on the ground training against ISIS.

In 2015, Kurdish and non Kurdish militias in the

region banded together to form the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF,

and started pushing ISIS back.

This paved the way for the expansion of a Kurdish-led territory

which was already being established here.

By 2019. the SDF effectively broke the ISIS stronghold in the north.

They set up prisons that held around 11,000 captive ISIS fighters

and housed tens of thousands of Isis family members in displacement camps.

US military bases also cropped up in this Kurdish-run area.

And US troops began patrolling the Syrian-Turkish border

Across the border in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has long viewed

the rise of the Kurds in Syria as a threat.

That's because a Kurdish separatist group in Turkey called the PKK

has fought the Turkish government for decades.

The PKK has pushed for greater autonomy for Kurds living in Turkey.

But the Turkish government has rejected their autonomy and fought back.

The violent conflict between the two has left tens of thousands dead.

Erdoğan claims the PKK is aligned with Kurdish forces in Syria

And he sees their growing influence across the border as a risk.

A Kurdish-governed territory in Syria could inspire Kurds in Turkey

to import the same model back home.

Erdoğan has launched attacks on Kurds in Syria multiple times.

The first came in 2016 when Turkish troops attacked here in the northwest

to push back ISIS and block Kurdish expansion along the border.

And in 2018, they attacked Syria again — this time in an attempt to wipe out the SDF.

Turkey gained control over these areas but by this time it was facing problems within its borders.

A trade war with the US and economic mismanagement by the

country's leaders had caused Turkey's economy to crash.

And many found themselves unable to find work as unemployment increased.

This economic downturn caused many in Turkey to look for a scapegoat

in Syrian refugees.

The war in Syria forced over six million to flee the country.

And 3.6 million of those refugees fled to Turkey, more than any other nation.

As Turkey's economy slumped, more and more Turks disapproved of President Erdoğan

and resented the influx of refugees.

In 2014 Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party had broad support.

It won 50 mayoral seats, more than half the country's local leadership.

But in March 2019, his party lost 11 of those seats in local elections.

To make matters worse, a pro-kurdish party, the People's Democratic Party,

won 8 mayoral seats and helped other opposition candidates

win across the country.

Voters delivered the Turkish president his worst night ever at the ballot box.

This is all reflecting some major discomfort with the president.

The Kurds have become the key in this result.

To regain political popularity, the pressure was on Erdoğan to act.

After the elections, he doubled down on an idea he'd been proposing for years,

a safe zone between Turkey and Syria.

Erdoğan had already taken control of this region in Northwest Syria

Now he wanted to expand that territory to the east, further into Kurdish-led land.

Erdoğan claimed that the purpose of this safe zone

would be to move Syrian refugees back into this strip of Syria.

He took this plan to Russia and the US but he couldn't get them on board.

With political pressure mounting at home,

Erdoğan and his government threatened to move into Syria on their own.

But just but there was an obstacle in their way.

The US, an ally to Turkey and a military supporter of the Kurds,

still had troops stationed in northern Syria. So Turkey couldn't make its move.

In August 2019, Turkey made some progress with the US.

The two agreed to a safe zone that they would patrol together.

This zone would extend 5km into northern Syria.

The SDF cooperated by withdrawing some of their forces.

But this agreement wasn't enough for Erdoğan.

At the UN a month later, he proposed a much larger zone.

We intend to establish a peace corridor with a depth of 30km and the length of 480km in Syria

and enable the settlement of 2 million Syrians there.

Soon after this address, Turkey found a way into Syria.

After a phone call with Erdoğan, President Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria.

It's now time to bring our soldiers home.

I don't want to leave troops there. It's very dangerous.

We never agreed to protect the Kurds for the rest of their lives.

Trump broke the US alliance with the Kurds

and pulled troops from along the border.

Erdoğan finally seized his opportunity and sent troops into northeastern Syria.

Turkey's invasion has been brutal and destabilizing.

What's happening in Syria can only be described as chaos.

Kurdish hospitals have been overwhelmed.

Thousands are still on the move trying to escape this violence.

Families desperate to get out of here.

Turkey is sending in Arab militias that would displace the Kurds from their homes.

As the SDF defends itself against Turkish forces,

they're leaving ISIS prisons unguarded.

And according to Kurdish sources,

hundreds have already escaped.

The US withdrawal and Turkey's invasion have created a new power vacuum in northern Syria,

one that's quickly being filled.

As the US leaves, another force roars in.

The Kurds have made a deal with Syria's President.

Turkey's president and Russian President Vladimir Putin

making a deal about the future of Syria.

Withdrawal of US troops is leading to more change

than the area has seen in years.