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.



UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
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UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday slammed as "unacceptable" the deaths of Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza, a spokesman said, calling the loss of life in the territory "unthinkable".

"The Secretary-General continues to call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for the perpetrators to be held to account," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

"We are witnessing unthinkable loss of life in Gaza (and) the secretary-general condemns the loss of lives and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid," he said. "It is unacceptable civilians are risking and in several instances losing their lives just trying to get food."

At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire near a food distribution site in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, local health authorities said, in the third day of chaos and bloodshed to affect the aid operation.

A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross told Reuters that its field hospital in Rafah received 184 casualties, adding that 19 of those were declared dead upon arrival, and eight died of their wounds shortly after.

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation launched its first distribution sites last week in an effort to alleviate widespread hunger amongst Gaza's war-battered population, most of whom have had to abandon their homes to flee fighting.

The Foundation's aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the United Nations and established charities which say it does not follow humanitarian principles.

The private group, which is endorsed by Israel, said it distributed 21 truckloads of food early on Tuesday and that the aid operation was "conducted safely and without incident within the site".

However, there have been reports of repeated killings near Rafah as crowds gather to get desperately needed supplies.

On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials reported that at least 31 people were killed and dozens more injured. On Monday, three more Palestinians were reportedly killed by Israeli fire.

The Israeli military has denied targeting civilians gathering for aid and called reports of deaths during Sunday’s distribution "fabrications" by Hamas.