The 'Deadliest' Day for the Turkish Army Since the Start of Operations in Northern Syria

The Turkish army reports that seven of its soldiers were killed during clashes on Saturday, February 3, in northeastern Syria, marking it the 'deadliest' day for Ankara since the start of Operation 'Olive Branch' against the People's Protection Units (YPG). Reports indicate that five of these soldiers died in an attack on an army tank in northeastern Afrin. This attack, the details of which are unclear, is also the deadliest assault on the Turkish army since January 19, the date Operation Olive Branch began. According to a statement from the Turkish General Staff, in addition to the five soldiers killed in the tank attack, one soldier was killed in combat with the YPG and another in an attack by these militants in Kilis (southern Turkey). The Turkish Prime Minister has threatened that the Kurdish militants will 'pay the price' for their actions. In response to these events, the Turkish army launched heavy airstrikes early on Sunday, February 4. The statement from the Turkish General Staff was released simultaneously with comments from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who stated that his country does not intend to occupy any part of Syrian territory. During a speech at the congress of the 'Justice and Development' Party, Erdoğan claimed that the operation known as 'Olive Branch' in Afrin and northern Syria was not aimed at occupying any part of Syrian land. The Turkish government considers the Syrian Kurdish militants in the YPG and the Democratic Union Party (PYD) to be branches of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and thus labels them as 'terrorist groups.' The United States, a major ally of the YPG in the fight against ISIS, does not classify this group as a terrorist organization. However, from the perspective of the U.S. government, the PKK is considered a 'terrorist group.' The Olive Branch operation began on January 19 with an attack on Afrin in northern Syria. According to Erdoğan, the goal of this operation is to 'cleanse' the Syrian-Turkish border, where Kurdish militants and forces have a significant presence. The Turkish operation has heightened tensions between Turkey and the United States. U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis has called for restraint from Turkey, stating that the operation in Afrin disrupts relative stability in this region of Syria and undermines international efforts to defeat ISIS. On the other hand, Ankara has urged the United States to stop all support for the YPG in Syria. Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron also warned Ankara that operations against Kurdish militants should not be an excuse for 'invasion of Syria.' Macron stated in an interview with Le Figaro that Turkey should cooperate with its allies and limit its attacks to the fight against terrorism. The Turkish government has responded to the French president's statements.