Turkey Calls on International Coalition to Participate in Ground Operations in Syria

As Bashar al-Assad's forces advance towards the Turkish border, Ankara on Tuesday, February 16, called on the international coalition, including the United States, to participate in ground operations in Syria. Such operations could increase the likelihood of direct confrontation between a NATO member and Russia. According to Reuters, however, the likelihood of a large-scale ground military operation in Syria is unlikely. Washington has rejected conducting operations on a large scale. Nonetheless, Turkey's request indicates that the recent systematic advances of the Syrian army, supported by Russian airstrikes, have created a situation that has significantly engaged global and regional powers. The Syrian army, along with Hezbollah militants from Lebanon and Iranian forces, has now reached 25 kilometers from the Turkish border. Kurdish guerrilla groups, which Turkey refers to as 'terrorists,' have also seized positions from other rebel and Islamist groups and expanded their controlled areas along the border with Turkey. This advance increases the likelihood of conflict between Russia and Turkey. The Turkish army's artillery shelled the Syrian border for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday, targeting the positions of the Kurdish YPG guerrillas. A Turkish official told reporters in Istanbul, 'We are calling for ground operations. If there is a general agreement, Turkey will participate in this operation. It is impossible to stop the war without a ground operation.' He added, 'Turkey does not intend to unilaterally conduct ground operations... We have discussed this with our allies.' On Monday, Turkey accused Russia of 'clear war crimes' after missile attacks in northern Syria that resulted in several casualties and warned Kurdish groups that if they attempted to seize a city near Turkey, they would face 'the harshest response.' Russian airstrikes over the past three weeks have shifted the balance of power in Syria in favor of Bashar al-Assad's government after five years of civil war. Major global powers agreed last Friday in Munich to halt hostilities, although the timing for implementation was set for a week later. However, it appears that Damascus intends to capture Aleppo as soon as possible and block its borders with Turkey to prevent the entry of supplies and fighters into the battlefield. If this operation succeeds, it would mark the Syrian army's greatest victory after five years and would shatter the hopes of armed opponents to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. Meanwhile, Stefan de Mistura, the UN envoy for Syria, who visited Damascus, emphasized on Tuesday that the Syrian government is obligated to allow the UN to deliver aid to the Syrian people, and this commitment will be put to the test starting Wednesday. In a statement referencing his meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem, he said that the priority of access and delivery of humanitarian aid to all besieged areas was discussed in this meeting. He added, 'Access to these areas is possible through convoys coordinated by the UN team... It is clear that it is the responsibility of the Syrian government to facilitate Syrians' access to these convoys and the delivery of UN humanitarian aid... We will put this issue to the test tomorrow.'