As Turkish forces began their advance on the Kurds, an indigenous people of southwest Asia, the U.S. military accelerates its plans to withdraw from northern Syria. The decision was enacted on Oct. 7 after Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan informed President Trump that Turkey would be establishing a 20-mile deep “safe zone” for refugees. According to BBC News, “Turkey has long threatened to launch” such a military action along the Syrian border.

This has not only led to the abandonment of the Kurdish militia, known as the People’s Protection Unit (YPG), but also raised the possibility for the return of the radical terrorist group known as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). To further complicate things, the U.S. had been close allies with the YPG in defeating ISIS. According to the website The Hill, “The U.S. left five dozen ‘high value’ ISIS prisoners behind during its retreat from Syria.”

This tense situation, on the brink of war, is by no doubt a result of the political turmoil that has swept across the middle-east as well as the U.S. With a nearing impeachment inquiry for Trump and Erdoğan losing political power over Turkey (which finds itself in deep economic trouble), some suspect that this conflict has served as a distraction for both presidents’ failing reputations. The Turkish government views members of the YPG as an extension of insurgent groups and has designated them as part of a terrorist organization. 

Although the U.S. military has, in theory, betrayed the Kurds, they claim to have stepped aside as to not involve themselves in the conflict (which encouraged Turkish forces to commit to the plan). With good incentive, the Arab/Kurd coalition better known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), replied by warning the U.S. of the “negative impact” they had made in the fight against ISIS and stability of the region.

The area falling within Turkey’s “safe zone” is most densely populated among Kurd settlements and will displace around 2 million civilians. Regarding ISIS, Turkey has also been working with Arab militias, some containing alleged terrorists. This is a serious issue that further complicates matters, as Turkey is part of the United Nations (UN). CNN reported that President Trump has responded via Twitter that he is working to impose “powerful sanctions” against Turkey.

In short, the result of this conflict has promptly altered U.S influence over Syria in a matter of days were U.S troops had formerly been stationed for years. This also threatens the resurgence of terrorist groups such as ISIS, which has already claimed credit for two attacks, and the stability of the region. The Kurds, former U.S allies, have also sided with Damascus, a “sworn enemy” of Washington that is backed by Russia. Whether this situation could have been prevented or not, it is evident that change is coming, change that has come to stay.  

Photo courtesy of NEWYORKER.COM