Increase of Turkish Forces at the Border with Syria; 'No Immediate Plan for Military Intervention'

As heavy fighting continues between Islamist fighters and Syrian government forces near the city of Aleppo, security sources reported on Friday, July 3, that Turkey has increased its military presence along part of its border with Syria. Meanwhile, Ahmet Davutoğlu, the Prime Minister of Turkey, stated that his country has no immediate plans to enter Syrian territory. According to Reuters, Turkish security sources in Ankara said that the country's army has heightened security measures along the shared border with Syria. Reports indicate that the Syrian air force has conducted heavy bombardments on rebel positions around Aleppo. The goal of the rebels' attacks on Aleppo is to seize areas controlled by government forces in the city. In response to media reports about the entry of Turkish forces into Syrian territory, Davutoğlu said: 'No one should expect Turkish forces to enter Syrian territory tomorrow or in the near future.' He added: 'It is a mistake to expect Turkey to take unilateral action to enter Syrian territory if there is no danger.' In this context, a senior Turkish official told Reuters that the Turkish government is concerned about the presence of Islamist forces and the formation of an independent Kurdish region along its shared borders. This unnamed Turkish official also emphasized that the connection to Aleppo is very fundamental for Turkey, and if the city of Jarablus near the Euphrates River falls into the hands of the Kurds, Turkey will take action. According to Reuters, a large number of Turkish army forces are currently stationed at the border with Syria. According to this senior Turkish official, the deployment of these forces is a sign of Turkey's determination, but it does not mean preparation for entering Syrian territory. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had previously told the international community that under no circumstances would Turkey allow the establishment of a Kurdish state along its southern borders. He accused the Kurds of changing the 'demographic fabric' of the border areas between Syria and Turkey. Turkey has been engaged in armed conflict with armed members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) for about 31 years. Turkey claims that members of this armed party are connected to the Kurdish militia known as the People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria. Turkey is one of the staunchest opponents of Bashar al-Assad's government, which has faced a civil war for the past four years, a conflict that has led to the displacement of 1.8 million Syrian citizens and the deaths of over 210,000 people. In this context, the UN Secretary-General stated: 'Syria is on the brink of collapse.'