In first, Turkey strikes joint coalition-SDF base in northern Syria
Turkish warplanes target a base in northern Syria that includes joint forces of the International Coalition and the SDF armed militia.
In a first, Turkish drones targeted a joint base belonging to the International Coalition and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the western al-Hasakah Dam, killing two SDF members and wounding 3 others.
Al Mayadeen's sources confirmed that the bombing targeted the headquarters of the SDF Special Forces a few meters away from the headquarters of the US occupation's base in the Life Stone resort and the residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi.
The sources pointed out that the Kurdish forces requested an immediate meeting with the Americans to discuss this development.
This came shortly after a drone targeted an SDF military vehicle near a Russian base at the entrance to the town of Tal Tamr from the northern side.
A drone also targeted an SDF base near the Oudeh Oil Field in the town of Al-Qahtaniyah in the eastern countryside of the city of Qamishli.
Through these operations, Turkey aims to exert pressure on both the United States and Russia to extract their approval to carry out a new military operation against the SDF-controlled areas after the Kurdish party was accused by Ankara of being behind the bomb attack in Istiklal Street in Taksim Square in Istanbul.
Ankara is also trying to take advantage of the attack in Istanbul to carry out a ground operation against the SDF and to gnaw at more areas under its control, amid initial indications of Turkish intentions to attack villages and towns in rural Manbij and Tal Rifaat.
The wave of Turkish operations comes without any noticeable ground movements so far, despite previous hints made by Turkish President Recep Erdogan that the "Claw-Sword" air operation will not remain confined to airstrikes and that Turkey is currently studying the number of forces that may participate in a ground operation, with Turkish media leaks suggesting that preparation for the ground invasion had already started, and the issue of its official launch is just a matter of time.