Erdogan Hints at New Military Operation in Northern Syria

Turkish military vehicles are seen in Hazano near Idlib, Syria. (Reuters file photo)
Turkish military vehicles are seen in Hazano near Idlib, Syria. (Reuters file photo)
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Erdogan Hints at New Military Operation in Northern Syria

Turkish military vehicles are seen in Hazano near Idlib, Syria. (Reuters file photo)
Turkish military vehicles are seen in Hazano near Idlib, Syria. (Reuters file photo)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hinted that his country could launch a new military operation in northern Syria to cleanse the region of “terrorists” if pledges are not fulfilled, amid renewed tensions between Ankara and Moscow.

Erdogan was referring to two agreements reached between Turkey, the United States and Russia on removing the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) from the Turkish border, under which Ankara halted a military operation it had launched in Syria in October 2019.

Turkey “will be taking resolute steps until absolute stability is achieved along its southern borders,” stressed Erdogan, adding that Ankara thwarted attempts to establish a “terror corridor” along its borders and showed “our Syrian brothers and sisters that they are not alone.”

Speaking during a video conference at the inauguration of Reyhanli Dam in Hatay, he vowed that Ankara will never accept any action that may lead to another humanitarian tragedy in Syria’s Idlib province.

In recent weeks, the Syrian regime and Russia have escalated attacks against the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other extremists groups in southern, northern and western parts of Idlib, which led to a new wave of displacement towards the Turkish border.

Erdogan had previously announced that Turkey remains committed to the memorandum of understanding it reached with Russia on Idlib in March. He warned, however, that Ankara will not tolerate the Syrian regime’s aggression.

He cautioned the regime that Damascus would suffer "heavy losses" if it persisted in violating the ceasefire, stressing that Turkey would not allow any "dark groups" in the region to breach it either.

Tensions have been rising between Turkey and Russia after a consultative military meeting held in Ankara in September failed to discuss Idlib.

Sources from both sides said that the officials did not agree on the points discussed during the meeting, which was described by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu as “unfruitful.”

Russia had asked Turkey to reduce the number of military points in northwestern Syria or the number of forces deployed there, and withdraw heavy weapons at points under the control of the Syrian regime.

Ankara rejected the request, and Russia declined Turkey’s demand to hand over the cities of Manbij and Tal Rifaat.

Since the meeting, Russia has stopped carrying out joint patrols with Turkey on the Aleppo-Latakia International Road (M4), in implementation of the March 5 agreement.



Houthis in Yemen Say They Won’t End Support for Gaza

 Houthi supporters chant slogans during a weekly anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Houthi supporters chant slogans during a weekly anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
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Houthis in Yemen Say They Won’t End Support for Gaza

 Houthi supporters chant slogans during a weekly anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Houthi supporters chant slogans during a weekly anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)

A top leader of the Iran-backed-Houthi militias in Yemen said they will keep up their support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip until Israeli “aggression stops, and the siege is lifted.”

“Our operations in support of Gaza will not cease, no matter the sacrifices,” said Mahdi al-Mashat in a statement Wednesday.

The Houthis are the last militant group in Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” that is capable of regularly attacking Israel.

They have been firing long-range missiles at Israel in the months since it resumed the war in Gaza, setting off air raid sirens but generally causing few casualties. They have also been attacking shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.