Operation Euphrates Shield

Operation Euphrates Shield was a military operation launched by the Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Northern Syria. The operation was supported by the United States, Russia, and other NATO members, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. It was also closely coordinated with the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government. The operation aimed to capture key cities and towns, including Jarabulus, Al-Bab, and Manbij, from ISIL and prevent the SDF from expanding its territory.

Background

The Syrian Civil War had been ongoing since 2011, with various factions, including the Syrian government, Free Syrian Army, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and the Syrian Democratic Forces, vying for control. The Turkish government, led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had been supporting the Free Syrian Army and other opposition groups, while also conducting military operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its affiliates in Turkey and Iraq. The United States and other NATO members had been conducting airstrikes against ISIL in Syria and Iraq since 2014, as part of the American-led intervention in Syria and the American-led intervention in Iraq. The Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War had also been ongoing since 2015, with Russia supporting the Syrian government and conducting airstrikes against opposition groups.

Objectives and Planning

The primary objectives of the operation were to capture key cities and towns from ISIL, prevent the SDF from expanding its territory, and establish a safe zone in Northern Syria for Syrian refugees. The operation was planned and coordinated by the Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army, with support from the United States, Russia, and other NATO members. The Turkish Air Force and the United States Air Force conducted airstrikes against ISIL targets, while the Free Syrian Army and other opposition groups conducted ground operations. The operation was also supported by the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government, which provided intelligence and logistical support.

Military Operations

The operation began on August 24, 2016, with the Turkish Air Force conducting airstrikes against ISIL targets in Jarabulus. The Free Syrian Army and other opposition groups then launched a ground operation to capture the city, which fell on August 24, 2016. The operation then expanded to other areas, including Al-Bab and Manbij, which were captured in February and August 2016, respectively. The Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army also clashed with the SDF, which had been expanding its territory in Northern Syria. The operation ended on March 29, 2017, with the Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army having captured a significant amount of territory from ISIL and the SDF.

Aftermath and Impact

The operation had a significant impact on the Syrian Civil War, with the Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army having captured key cities and towns from ISIL and prevented the SDF from expanding its territory. The operation also led to the establishment of a safe zone in Northern Syria for Syrian refugees. However, the operation also raised concerns about the human rights situation in the area, with reports of civilian casualties and human rights abuses by the Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army. The operation also strained relations between Turkey and the United States, which had been supporting the SDF in its fight against ISIL. The Russian government and the Syrian government also criticized the operation, which they saw as a violation of Syria's sovereignty.

International Reactions

The operation was widely condemned by the Syrian government and the Russian government, which saw it as a violation of Syria's sovereignty. The United States and other NATO members supported the operation, but also expressed concerns about the human rights situation in the area. The European Union and the United Nations also called for a ceasefire and a return to peace negotiations. The Iranian government and the Hezbollah organization also criticized the operation, which they saw as a threat to regional stability. The Israeli government and the Kurdistan Regional Government supported the operation, which they saw as a necessary step to combat terrorism and establish regional stability. The operation was also widely covered by the international media, including BBC News, Al Jazeera, and CNN.