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Turkish Forces Set Hawk Missile Systems Between Idlib, Afrin

A Turkish military armoured vehicle guards on the border line located opposite the Syrian town of Atimah, Idlib province, in this picture taken from Reyhanli, Hatay province, Turkey October 10, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
A Turkish military armoured vehicle guards on the border line located opposite the Syrian town of Atimah, Idlib province, in this picture taken from Reyhanli, Hatay province, Turkey October 10, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
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Turkish Forces Set Hawk Missile Systems Between Idlib, Afrin

A Turkish military armoured vehicle guards on the border line located opposite the Syrian town of Atimah, Idlib province, in this picture taken from Reyhanli, Hatay province, Turkey October 10, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
A Turkish military armoured vehicle guards on the border line located opposite the Syrian town of Atimah, Idlib province, in this picture taken from Reyhanli, Hatay province, Turkey October 10, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal

Turkish army troops continued to establish monitor posts in de-escalation zones in north Syria as agreed upon with Russia and Iran after the Kazakh peace talks.

Local reports showed Turkish army units enforcing new military measures and deployments near Darat Izza, a town in northern Syria, administratively part of the Aleppo Governorate—such as positioning Hawk missiles, communication centers and radar devices at Afrin borderlines.

Afrin is controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its military arm (Kurdish People Protection Units) in northern Aleppo.

Sources said that the move follows the entry of a reinforced Turkish military convoy to Kafr Lusein, located in the northern countryside Idlib. It also is in line with the Astana agreement on establishing de-escalation zones.

While the agreement stipulates that Turkey deploys troops to northern Idlib, Russia and Iran will be positioning troops outside the area with observers who will likely overlook field developments.
The Turkish army is ready to attack Kurdish militias in Afrin, as it has already laid siege to their territory.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated last Saturday that his country would "purge" Afrin and Manbij in northern Syria—hinting that Kurdish PYD militias would be targeted.

Turkey will "impose security, inevitably, in areas adjacent to its borders," he added.

"When purging Afrin and Manbij in Aleppo from terrorists, the real owners will return to their homes, and then we will impose security in all areas adjacent to our borders, Tal al-Abyad in the province of Raqqa and Ras al-Ain in the province of Hasaka, because these areas pose a threat to us.”

Turkey has labeled Kurdish militias as terrorists.

There have recently been reports by Turkish media outlets indicating a planned military operation in Afrin, which will later extend to other areas—reports said it launches in mid-January.

Erdogan has repeatedly vowed that Turkey will not allow a "terror corridor" to be set up on its southern border, which reaches the Mediterranean.

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Lebanese Army Awaits Political Decision to Implement UNSCR 1701

Soldiers from the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol near the southern village of Marjayoun (AFP).
Soldiers from the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol near the southern village of Marjayoun (AFP).
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Lebanese Army Awaits Political Decision to Implement UNSCR 1701

Soldiers from the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol near the southern village of Marjayoun (AFP).
Soldiers from the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol near the southern village of Marjayoun (AFP).

Discussions are underway on the role of the Lebanese army in maintaining security in South Lebanon amid rising optimism about a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701

As part of these preparations, the Lebanese government has begun strengthening the army by recruiting 1,500 new soldiers out of the 6,000 needed, aligning with the outcomes of the Paris Conference held on October 23, which allocated 200 million euros to support the military institution, from a broader package intended to help the Lebanese people during the Israel-Hezbollah war.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, a security official highlighted that the army currently has 4,500 personnel stationed south of the Litani River but requires additional manpower.

The unidentified official noted, however, that any effective deployment would require a political decision and government support. “The Lebanese military will implement Resolution 1701 as is, with no intention of clashing with any party. However, if Israel violates Lebanese sovereignty, the army is fully prepared to respond,” he said.

Although Hezbollah opposes withdrawing from south of the Litani and handing over border security duties to the Lebanese military and UNIFIL, claiming the army lacks the capabilities to defend against Israeli aggression, the security source clarified that the military has been authorized to repel any attacks but will avoid initiating conflict. The army’s expanded deployment depends on a political decision, which, once made, will see the military act without hesitation to uphold Lebanese sovereignty.

While military preparedness is essential, Brigadier General Wehbeh Qatisha argues that Lebanon’s security requires more than just troops or advanced weaponry at the border. The presence of the Lebanese military as a representative of the Lebanese state is also a significant deterrent. He pointed out that prior to 1970, Israel refrained from attacking Lebanon, despite a much smaller army. However, he cautioned that even with a substantial deployment today, the persistence of Hezbollah’s military presence would continue to undermine Lebanon’s stability and security.

Since the 1969 Cairo Agreement, which allowed the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to launch operations against Israel from southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army has been restricted in its ability to enforce security along the border. After the PLO’s departure in 1982, Hezbollah took over military operations in the South. Even after the 2006 war and the adoption of Resolution 1701, which called for the Lebanese military and UNIFIL to secure the border, Hezbollah retained its armed presence and continued to conduct exercises simulating conflict with Israel. The latter violated the international resolution thousands of times, until the last war broke out against the background of turning southern Lebanon into a front supporting Gaza.

Qatisha emphasized that the path to stability lies in comprehensive implementation of international resolutions, particularly 1701 and 1559, and restricting arms to the Lebanese army. He argued that achieving balanced deterrence requires not only military force but also a commitment to diplomacy and international support.