The Turkish Ministry of Defence stated in a press release on Thursday, August 8, that it sees the establishment of the new military base in the Al-Hawl region as a positive development. They believe it helps reduce the presence of the PKK/SDF/PYD-YPG in the area.
Turkey considers the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to be an extension of the PKK, which is a banned and designated terrorist organisation. According to the Turkish channel TRT Haber, the Ministry sees the establishment of the base as part of the agreements signed with Russia and the United States. These agreements include measures to withdraw “terrorist” elements to a specific area.
The Turkish Ministry added that they view any action taken in this context as positive since the signing of the agreements. They emphasise that what is important for Turkey is the security of its borders and people.
On Saturday, August 2, 2024, Russia announced the establishment of a new military base in the Ain al-Arab region. Colonel Oleg Ignasyuk, the Deputy Director of the Russian Reconciliation Center in Syria, said the base was set up as part of ongoing efforts to monitor the ceasefire between the conflicting parties.
Local media sources, such as the Al-Watan newspaper close to the regime, reported that the establishment of the joint “Syrian-Russian” military base in Ain al-Arab is a significant step towards imposing stability in one of the most strategically contested areas. The establishment of the base aims to prevent Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration from occupying Ain al-Arab, which he has been threatening to control.
The newspaper also noted that the establishment of the base at this tense time contributes to reassuring Erdogan’s administration by preventing any hostile actions from emanating from Ain al-Arab into Turkish territory. It also helps provide some protection for the Turkish border in the troubled area.
Russia’s first military presence in Ain al-Arab began in October 2019 during the Peace Spring operation carried out by the Turkish army and the Syrian National Army (SNA) against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) east of the Euphrates. During this operation, the United States withdrew from several military bases in the countryside of Aleppo, Raqqa, and al-Hasakah as part of its plan to withdraw its forces and reposition them east of the Euphrates.
Russia quickly entered its forces into these bases, including the Sarrin airbase near Ain al-Arab, marking its first presence in the region.
During the Peace Spring operation, Turkey and the National Army controlled the cities of Tel Abyad, north of Raqqa, and Ras al-Ain, northwest of al-Hasakah. Military operations stopped at the time with an agreement between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 22, 2019.
Both sides agreed to withdraw all US-backed SDF forces from the Syrian border strip to a depth of 30 kilometers and withdraw their weapons from the cities of Manbij and Tel Rifaat in Aleppo countryside. Additionally, joint Turkish and Russian patrols were planned west and east of the area of the Peace Spring operation to a depth of ten kilometers, excluding the city of Qamishli.
Later, Turkey demanded the full implementation of the withdrawal provisions of the SDF from the border strip, which had not been adhered to. However, the Peace Spring operation and subsequent agreement allowed regime and Russian forces to enter areas east of the Euphrates for the first time since 2012. They established several military points and bases in these areas.
Many SDF military points, especially those at the borders and important locations in Tel Rifaat and Manbij, hoisted the Russian and regime flags to avoid Turkish targeting.
Source: Enab Baladi
