Turkish army reinforces Kilis as another cross-border operation nears

Having captured the Syrian town of Jarablus and cleansed the majority of ISIS terrorists from the area in cooperation with the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is now shifting its focus to the Elbeyli district in the province of Kilis to remove ISIS’ presence from the area between Jarablus and Cobanbey. As activity in Karkamıs has slowed down in the last couple of days, Daily Sabah has observed that many troops and tanks were moved to the border district of Elbeyli in Kilis.

With ISIS still being dominant in the 60-kilometer area between Jarablus and Cobanbey, Turkey aims to ensure full border security by launching a cross-border operation from Elbeyli.

As Daily Sabah traveled around the villages and neighborhoods of the district, dozens of trucks carrying tanks were observed. Daily Sabah has also learned that additional FSA fighters were deployed to the area.

 The Turkey-backed FSA has prevailed in Operation Euphrates Shield, which was launched last week. Having captured Jarablus, the FSA has quickly taken over control in the town.

While the FSA ensures security within Jarablus, the TSK has been clearing bordering villages of mines and handmade explosives left by ISIS. Controlled explosions have been heard since the beginning of the operation. Meanwhile, Turkish F-16 jets bombed some villages of Jarablus that are still under ISIS’ control. According to reports, three ISIS’ buildings have been bombed. According to a statement released by the TSK, the army used a proportionate number of bombs to prevent civilians from being hurt.

 Meanwhile, the U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday in an interview with CNN Intentional that Turkey is a strong ally of the U.S. in fight against ISIS. Obama also added that there are no security issues between Turkey and the U.S. If the Turkish Army and the Turkey-backed FSA successfully clear the 60-kilometer area between Cobanbey and Jarablus, the operation is likely to shift to the south.

Al-Bab might be another target for the FSA to prevent the YPG terrorist group from connecting its cantons from the east and west.

 A commander from a faction of the FSA, Faylaq al-Sham, recently said, "ISIS terrorists have withdrawn from several villages on the outskirts of Jarablus and are heading south towards the city of al-Bab."

 The strategically located town of Al-Bab lies between the cities of Manbij and Aleppo. If the PYD seizes control of the town, the terrorist organization will be able to connect their cantons to Afrin.

 Amid questions raised by the West about when Operation Euphrates Shield will end, Ankara has repeatedly said that the operation will continue until all threats posed to the country’s national security are removed.

 Both the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim have voiced their will, saying that the army will continue to advance into northern Syria to clear the area of both ISIS and YPG terrorists.