VIDEO: Turkish military begins build up on Syrian border, begins striking Kurdish positions leading to tens of deaths

January 17, 2018 – Fort Russ News – Paul Antonopoulos

AFRIN, Syria – The Turkish military build up on the Syrian border has ramped up as the operation to invade the Kurdish-held Afrin in northern Aleppo countryside is imminent.

#BREAKING – #Turkish military build up on #Syrian border ramps up as operation to invade #Afrin is imminent according to #Turkey‘s President Erdogan. Largest Turkish build up in the Syrian Civil War slated to involve; Special Forces, Army, Turkish-backed Syrian Rebels & Airforce pic.twitter.com/56tJ6bXjWa

— SURA (@AlSuraEnglish) January 16, 2018

This is the largest Turkish build up since the Syrian War began in 2011 and is slated to involve the Special Forces, Army, Air force and Turkish-backed Syrian militants.

Late yesterday afternoon the Turkish military began shelling positions of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), the Syrian branch of the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), that not only Ankara, but Washington also recognizes as a terrorist organization. Despite recognizing the parent organization, the PKK, as a terrorist organization, the US is still the main backer, funder and armer of the YPG.

Turkish forces shelled the towns of Shadirah and Iska on the outskirts of Afrin city. Around 70 Kurds became casualties from the resulting shelling.

Yesterday the Turkish president confirmed that Syrian militants will be involved in the operation to remove the YPG from Afrin. Full details can be read here.