Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6
By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:
The Free Syrian Army (FSA) has announced its readiness to join the Turkish Armed Forces to begin military operations in order to create a safe zone in northern Syria against the Syrian wing of the PKK - PYD / YPG, Trend reports referring to Turkish media.
It was noted that the FSA will deploy 14,000 members in the event the Turkish Armed Forces start new military operations in northern Syria.
It was stated earlier by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Hami Aksoy that Turkey is ready to create a security zone in northern Syria without the participation of the US.
On December 12, 2018, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the Turkish armed forces will launch a new military operation in northern Syria against PYD/YPG.
Erdogan further said that there are the US soldiers in the ranks of the terrorists in Syria. "Despite the US promised Turkey not to support the Syrian wing of the PKK terrorist organization - PYD/YPG, Washington did not keep its word," the president added.
On June 4, 2018, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed a roadmap on Syria's Manbij during talks in Washington. Earlier, Cavusoglu and Pompeo had a meeting in Brussels and discussed the Operation Olive Branch, as well as other issues.
On January 20, 2018, Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Free Syrian Army, launched the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria.