Türkiye is reportedly amassing military forces along its border with Syria in a move that signals a potential large-scale operation targeting Kurdish-held territories. The buildup, reported on December 16 by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), has triggered alarm among Syrian Kurdish officials, who are urging the United States to intervene and prevent Ankara from initiating a cross-border offensive.

The deployment includes Turkish commandos, militia fighters, and heavy artillery, with forces concentrating near Kobani – a symbolic Kurdish-majority city located on Syria’s northern border with Türkiye. This development has heightened fears of another violent escalation in the war-torn region, particularly given Türkiye’s longstanding hostility towards Kurdish militias, which it deems as terrorist organizations.

According to the WSJ, senior US officials have acknowledged the military buildup and are reportedly attempting to dissuade Türkiye from launching the operation. The timing of Ankara’s preparations is especially critical, as it comes just weeks before US President-elect Donald Trump is set to assume office in January. Kurdish leaders fear that Türkiye’s offensive aims to establish de facto control over northeastern Syria, creating irreversible facts on the ground before the incoming US administration takes a clear stance on the issue.

Ilham Ahmed, a leading figure in the civilian administration of the Syrian Kurds, has reportedly penned a letter to Trump urging him to pressure Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to stand down. “From across the border, we can already see Turkish forces amassing, and our civilians live under the constant fear........

© Blitz