In Kamishli, Northern Syria, people are genuinely concerned and amazed at Turkey’s intentions to invade, says ‘s foreign journalist Tom Kankkonen.
In northern Syria, Turkey’s threat to invade Kurdish areas is being taken seriously.
This is what ‘s foreign journalist says Tom Kankkonenwhich is currently in the Kurdish city of Kamishli in northern Syria.
Turkey defines Syrian Kurdish forces as terrorists. Its forces have carried out several attacks on northern Syria in recent years and have taken over areas near the border. In February, Turkey bombed Kurds in northern Syria and Iraq.
– People are genuinely worried and also a little surprised why Erdoğan is now attacking here, Kankkonen says.
He adds, however, that the areas that Turkey has talked about are located much further west. Therefore, Kamishli may not be subjected to any action in the first instance. The city is still very close to the border with Turkey.
There is no more detailed information about the time of the attack
According to Kankkonen, there is no exact estimate of when Turkey could launch the attack. According to him, Turkey has a permanent presence in the border areas and in the areas it used to occupy.
– From there, there is a fairly constant firing on some villages. People have to flee, and it can be said that the operation is underway, but this large-scale military operation has not been launched.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is on his way to Ankara to negotiate with the Turks.
– There are Russian soldiers in Syria. This is quite a mess of soldiers overall, because there are also American soldiers who came here in the fight against Isis. If Russia gives the green light, then perhaps the attack will begin, Kankkonen reports on Kamishl during Finnish time in the morning.