Operation Claw-Sword
Part of the Turkish–Kurdish conflict, Syrian Civil war, the Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war, and the Syrian–Turkish border clashes during the Syrian Civil War
Date20–28 November 2022[1]
(1 week and 1 day)
Location
Northern and eastern Syria and northern Iraq
Belligerents
 Turkey
 In Syria:
Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria
 Syria
In Iraq:
PKK
Units involved

Turkish Armed Forces

Syrian Democratic Forces

Syrian Armed Forces

Casualties and losses
Per SOHR:[4]
Turkey 1 killed, 7 injured

Per SOHR:[5]
35 killed

Syria 30 killed
Per Turkey:[6]
364 killed, wounded or captured
10 Syrian civilians killed by Turkish shelling and airstrikes[7]
5 Syrian and 2 Turkish civilians killed by SDF/SAA shelling[8]

On 20 November 2022 the Turkish Air Force launched Operation Claw-Sword (Turkish: Pençe-Kılıç Operasyonu), a series of airstrikes against Syrian Democratic Forces and Syrian Army positions in Northern Syria (in Aleppo, Raqqa, al-Hasaka) and against Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) positions in Northern Iraq.[9][10] The airstrikes were launched following the 2022 Istanbul bombing on 13 November, that the Turkish government say was conducted by Kurdish separatists.[9]

Operation

On 20 November around midnight local time Turkish aircraft launched a series of airstrikes across northern Syria and Iraq, killing 36 SDF fighters and Syrian soldiers and Hawar News Agency reporter, Essam Abdullah in Syria.[11][12]

On 21 November two Turkish civilians were killed in Karkamış, by a rocket attack believed to be conducted by the SDF.[13] Also according to SOHR one Turkish soldier was killed and 7 were injured in Bab Al-Salama crossing on the borders with Turkey, after shelling from Kurdish and regime areas in northern Aleppo.[14]

On 22–23 November Turkish Air Force targeted the oil and gas energy infrastructure in al-Hasakah Governorate.[15][16] Turkish Air Force targeted the town of Makman in north west Deir ez-Zor Governorate.[17][18]

On 23 November clashes broke out between forces of the Manbij Military Council and forces of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army on the Jamousiya and Sayada fronts in the Manbij countryside.[3] Eight SDF fighters were killed after Turkish aircraft targeted the vicinity of Al-Hawl refugee camp.[19]

On 27 November Turkish Air Force resumed bombing SDF and Syrian Army positions in Northern Syria after a three-day halt in airstrikes.[20] During these attacks five Syrian soldiers were killed after a Turkish drone struck their military post, near the Kashtar village in the Afrin countryside.[21]

Aftermath

On 29–30 November Syrian government forces and Iranian backed militias deployed T-90 tanks, troop carriers and hundreds of soldiers to the northern Aleppo countryside. Russian forces established a military post south of the village of Ablah, consisting of dozens of soldiers and field artillery.[22]

On 6 December, Al Jazeera reported that Turkey had set a deadline of 2 weeks for SDF forces to leave the areas of Manbij, Tell Rifat and Kobani and that a failure to do so would result in a new ground offensive.[23]

On 19 December, Turkish forces resumed their joint patrols with Russian forces under the second Northern Syria Buffer Zone, which had been suspended since the start of the operation.[24]

Reactions

Domestic

Turkey: President Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey's air operations against a Kurdish militia in northern Syria were only the beginning and it would launch a land operation when convenient.[25] On 28 November, Turkish officials announced that Turkish forces would need 'just days' to be ready for a ground incursion into Syria.[26]

AANES: Syrian Democratic Forces commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi suspended military operations against the Islamic State to focus on preparations for a potential Turkish ground incursion into northern Syria. Abdi said he believed the city of Kobanî would become targeted by Turkish forces.[27] On 28 November, Mazloum Abdi told Reuters that SDF forces had noted Turkish reinforcements accumulating on the border with Syria and in already occupied parts of Syria.[26]

International

Iran: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave a warning to Erdogan. Stating that a military conflict would "harmful" for Turkey and Syria and the entire region.[28] A Lebanese official speaking to AP claimed that Iran was attempting to lead a mediation by arranging a meeting between the Syrian President Bashar Assad and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. However, A senior Turkish government official denied any Iranian mediation, saying that Tehran was "antagonistic" toward Turkey in Syria and that it was Russia that pushed Turkey toward reconciliation but that there was "no progress at all."[29]

Russia: Russian presidential envoy in Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, called on Turkey to show restraint in its use of "excessive" military force in Syria and to keep tensions from escalating.[30]

United States: The Pentagon opposes any military action by Turkey according to VOA.[31] National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said during a news conference: Turkey has a legitimate right to defend itself and its citizens, but added cross-border operations "might force a reaction by some of our SDF partners that would limit and constrain their ability to fight against ISIS…and we want to be able to keep the pressure on ISIS."[32] The Department of Defense of the United States urged de-escalation, stating it was "deeply concerned" by Turkish actions in Iraq and Syria, and with Turkish airstrikes near coalition bases. The statement ended with a statement on the discussion of a ceasefire.[33]

United Nations: The UN has stated that all parties should abide by international law and maximum restraint.[34] The UN has taken the position there is no military solution to the conflict in Syria.[35]

Pro-Kurdish protests were held in Cyprus, Germany and Sweden, following the airstrikes.[36][37] Danish politician Nikolaj Villumsen, Austrian politician Andreas Schieder and The Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL have condemned the airstrikes.[38][39][40] Human Rights Watch stated that the airstrikes "risk making an already unbearable situation much worse for Kurds, Arabs, and other communities" and "displaced families, caused significant power cuts and fuel shortages, forced aid organizations to temporarily suspend certain activities, and led to school and work disruptions."[41]

References

  1. ↑ "18th day of alarming calm Turkish forces shell three villages in Al-Hasakah". SOHR. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  2. ↑ "SDF Reveals Outcome Of Turkish Strike Hit Joint Base With Coalition". North Press Agency. 22 November 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Military escalation Manbij military council forces clash with Euphrates Shield factions in Manbij countryside amid Turkish shelling". SOHR. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  4. ↑ Turkish casualties,
  5. ↑ SDF casualties, 35
    SAA casualties, 30
  6. ↑ "Bakan Akar: Pençe Kılıç Harekatı'nda 364 terörist etkisiz hale getirildi". TRT Haber. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  7. ↑ Civilian casualties one, 10
  8. ↑ Civilian casualties two, 5, 2
  9. 1 2 "Turkish jets hit targets in Syria, Iraq after Istanbul bomb blast". Al Jazeera. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  10. ↑ "Turkey Launches Operation Claw-Sword Against Kurdish Militants In Iraq, Syria". Barron's. Agence France Presse. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  11. ↑ "Death toll update The number of regime soldiers killed in Turkish airstrikes jumps to 18". SOHR. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  12. ↑ "CPJ calls on Turkish authorities to investigate airstrikes that killed Hawar News Agency reporter". Committee to Protect Journalists. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  13. ↑ "Two killed in Turkey after rockets fired from Syria". Al Jazeera. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  14. ↑ "Primary death toll Turkish soldier killed and seven others injured in shelling from Kurdish and regime areas". SOHR. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  15. ↑ "Military escalation Turkish ground forces shell new oil field in Al-Hasakah". SOHR. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  16. ↑ "18th attack today Turkish drone attack on vehicle leaves three killed and injured in Al-Qamishly". SOHR. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  17. ↑ "Turkish dramatic escalation Turkish aircraft targets area at Al-Hasakah-Al-Raqqah-Deir Ezzor triangle". SOHR. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  18. ↑ "Turkish occupation warplanes shell Makman village in Deir-ez-Zor". Hawar News Agency. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  19. ↑ "8 members of the Al-Hol camp protection forces were killed as a result of the Turkish air raids that targeted their positions there yesterday". SOHR. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  20. ↑ "Heavy bombardment Turkish airstrikes hit areas northern Aleppo countryside three days after aerial bombardment halted". SOHR. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  21. ↑ "Turkish drone attack Five regime soldiers killed by airstrike on military post near Russian base north of Aleppo". SOHR. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  22. ↑ "Largest reinforcement since Turkish military escalation Russia, regime and Iranian-backed militiamen bring in military reinforcements to Aleppo countryside". SOHR. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  23. ↑ "Turkish deadline for SDF withdrawal from northern Syria: Source". Al Jazeera. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  24. ↑ "First since Turkish escalation Russian and Turkish forces conduct joint patrol with aerial protection". SOHR. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  25. ↑ Devranoglu, Nevzat; Kucukgocmen, Ali (23 November 2022). "Erdogan says Turkey will launch Syria land operation when convenient". Reuters. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  26. 1 2 "US-backed force in Syria wants 'stronger' warnings from Washington amid Turkey threats". France24. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  27. ↑ "Turkey's strikes in Syria put US troops in danger, Pentagon says". Al-Monitor. 24 November 2022.
  28. ↑ Engelbrecht, Cora (19 July 2022). "Iran warns Turkey against new incursion into northern Syria". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  29. ↑ "Turkish strikes on Kurds stoke tensions with Syria as well". AP NEWS. 23 November 2022.
  30. ↑ "Russian envoy urges restraint by Turkey in Syria – media". Reuters. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  31. ↑ "Another Major Turkish Military Ground Incursion Very Likely Amid Rising Tensions in Syria Experts Say". VOA. 22 November 2022. Pentagon opposed to military action. Washington is known to have long opposed a major incursion by Turkey because it would disrupt the stability in the region.
  32. ↑ Ward, Alexander; Berg, Matt; Ukanye, Lawrance (22 November 2022). "U.S. and Russia 'can't stop' Turkey's new Syria incursion". Politico. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  33. ↑ "DOD Statement on Escalating Actions in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey". U.S. Department of Defense.
  34. ↑ "Turkey Pledges Syria Land Offensive to Fight Kurdish Militants". VOA. 23 November 2022.
  35. ↑ "UN: No military solution in Syria". BBC News.
  36. ↑ "Turkey summons Swedish ambassador over 'insulting' images of Erdogan". euronews. 22 November 2022.
  37. ↑ "Protesters in Germany and Cyprus condemn Turkey's airstrikes". euronews. 21 November 2022.
  38. ↑ "European politicians denounce Türkiye's airstrikes on YPG in Syria – english". Bianet.
  39. ↑ Kucukgocmen, Ali; Al-Khalidi, Suleiman (20 November 2022). "Turkish air strikes target Kurdish militants in Syria, Iraq after bomb attack". Reuters – via www.reuters.com.
  40. ↑ "EU silent as Erdogan electioneers with bombs". GUE/NGL. 22 November 2022.
  41. ↑ "Northeast Syria: Turkish Strikes Exacerbate Humanitarian Crisis". Human Rights Watch. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.

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