Turkey army ready for Syria operation - report

Turkey’s Armed Forces and Turkey-backed Syrian fighters have finished preparations and are awaiting orders from Ankara to start a cross-border operation into northern Syria, Sabah daily reported on Thursday.

The Turkish forces have taken combat positions near the cities of Tell Rifaat and Manbij, opening artillery fire during the nights, according to the paper.

Turkey plans to seize Tabqa Dam, the largest in Syria, to ensure water and electricity supply to Syria’s regions, where Turkey earlier held Euphrates Shield military operation, Sabah said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier said that Ankara was launching a new military operation on the adjacent territory and will start with mopping up terrorists in Tell Rifaat and Manbij. The main aim will be to expand the 30-kilometer security zone, which was established in 2019 as a result Operation Peace Spring.