Top anti-ISIS general warns of ‘major catastrophe’ as Ankara attacks Kurdistan Region, NE Syria

Aveen Karim

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - General Commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) warned on Sunday of a “major catastrophe” as Turkey launched airstrikes targeting the Kurdistan Region and northeastern Syria (Rojava), days after Ankara accused Kurdish groups of orchestrating a deadly blast in Istanbul despite fierce denials by the groups.  

Turkey announced the launch of a new operation dubbed “Claw-Sword” in parts of Rojava and the Kurdistan Region, where it claims it targets the bases of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the People’s Protection Units (YPG).

UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that at least 31 people, including 13 members of military formations operating in Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)-controlled areas and 12 Syrian regime soldiers were killed in the Turkish strikes in Syria. The monitor added that around 25 airstrikes were launched in the area.

“In line with our self-defense rights arising from Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the Claw-Sword air operation was carried out in the regions in the north of Iraq and Syria which are used as bases for attacks on our country,” the Turkish defense ministry said in a statement. 

The Turkish defense ministry said it had struck 89 targets in the Kurdistan Region and Rovaja as part of its newly launched operation.

The new offensive comes days after Turkey accused the PKK and the YPG of being behind a deadly explosion in Istanbul last week which killed six people and injured 81 others. Both groups have denied being involved in the blast. 

The defense ministry warned in a tweet at the start of the operations that the “time for reckoning” has come.

Mazloum Abdi, General Commander of the SDF, on Sunday called on families to remain at home and abide by the directives issued by security forces. “We are making every effort to avoid a major catastrophe. If war erupts, all will be affected,” he warned. 

The Turkish defense ministry did not provide details of the locations being targeted by the fresh operation but Kurdish forces stated that the Kurdish town of Kobane was among the targets. 

"#Kobane, the city that defeated ISIS, is subjected to bombardment by the aircraft of the Turkish occupation,” Farhad Shami, the head of the SDF’s media office tweeted.

Shami said that at least 11 civilians, including a journalist, were killed as a result of the latest Turkish airstrikes in Rojava.

Kobane was captured by the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014 but were driven out by the Kurdish forces allied with the United States. The SDF has been a key US ally throughout the war against ISIS and has received extensive military training from Washington. 

Turkish Minister of Interior Suleyman Soylu also claimed last week that the order for the Istanbul attack had been given from Kobane, a town controlled by the SDF. 

SOHR added that the provinces of Aleppo and Hasaka were also targeted by the Turkish air raids. In the Kurdistan Region, the airstrikes were launched towards the Asos mountain range in Sulaimani province and the Qandil mountains, according to Rojnews.

An expected Turkish operation

On Saturday, the US Consulate General to Erbil issued a security warning of an imminent Turkish offensive in the Kurdistan Region and in northeast Syria, while the State Department advised its nationals against travel to the area. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been threatening to launch a new military operation in Rojava since May, aimed at creating a 30 kilometers deep “safe zone.” 

Syria and Russia - the main backer of the regime in Damascus - had both called on Turkey to refrain from launching an operation in the country’s northeast, calling it a violation of Syrian sovereignty. However since then, Turkey has emerged as a major global player by taking on a key role in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine over vital grain exports. 

Erdogan has balanced his stance carefully, maintaining good relations with both Kyiv and Moscow. Russia has become reliant on Ankara as a window to the western world which it has largely been isolated by. This may guarantee Erdogan with limited opposition from Russia with regards to its operation in Syria. 

Turkey has launched two offensives against Kurdish fighters in Syria since 2018. It alleges that the fighters are allied with the PKK, an armed group fighting for the increased rights of Kurds in Turkey.

The PKK is a Kurdish armed group fighting for the increased rights of Kurds in Turkey. Turkish forces regularly pursue the PKK, as well as individuals believed to be affiliated to the group through the use of drones, airstrikes, and targeted assassinations within the Kurdistan Region’s borders where the group has its headquarters.

Civilian casualties have been inflicted in areas where such operations are conducted. Deadly bombardment in July struck a tourist resort in Duhok’s Zakho district, killing nine people and injuring dozens. 

Iraqi officials have labeled Ankara’s recent military operation as a “hostile” and “provocative” violation of the country’s sovereignty, but official responses have been largely limited to condemnations. 

Updated at 5:40PM