30,000 fighters standby to join Turkish operation in Syria: opposition leader

One of the Syrian opposition groups fighting regime forces said that 30,000 forces are standing by to join Turkey-led operation to liberate Syrian cites of Tal Abyad, Manbij and Raqqa from terrorist organization.

Abu Khattab, leader of Al Safwan Islamic Brigade, said that he can prepare 30,000 fighters –even much more than this - to join the Turkey-backed operation Euphrates Shield.

Operation Euphrates Shield (OES), a Turkish military-backed Free Syrian Army's (FSA) counter terrorism campaign in northern Syria, was launched on Aug. 24 to clear border cities from Daesh and PYD terror groups.

Since then, an area around 1,300 square kilometers has already been cleared and security has been established in the region. Thousands of Syrians returned to their homes from Turkey.

OES reached the outskirts of Aleppo and are only 12 kilometers from al-Bab, a Daesh stronghold in northern Syria.

Turkish President Erdoğan said a week ago that the OES will advance toward the south and would clear areas from terrorists totaling 5,000 sq km.

Khattab said that Aug. 24 was the beginning of new process in Syria along with the FSA operation with Turkish military.

“Al-Bab will be freed within a couple of days," Khattab, the leader of Al Safwan Islamic Brigade said, noting that the next target of the OES should be Tal Abyad, Mabij and Raqqa.

“The new wave of OES, under the leadership of Turkey, can free these cities from Daesh and YPG terrorists within three months," Khattab said.

He added that this figure can be increased up to 70,000 if Turkey negotiates with tribe leaders in Raqqa, Al Hasakah and Deyr az-Zor.

“Actually, 30,000 fighters are enough to free the region from Daesh and YPG, but the role of the U.S. military makes the situation difficult," he added.

Khattab said the U.S. support to YPG was leading the condition in Syria into a more chaotic situation.

“U.S. is no longer a reliable partner," according to the opposition leader.

Opposition groups' clashes with YPG is and unavoidable thing, he said.

“This war is not only against Daesh and YPG. After liberating areas from Daesh and YPG, the opposition forces will clear other areas from Assad and his ally Shia terrorists."

He underlined that their relations with Turkey following the OES had acquired a dimension beyond sharing a common fate.

“In fact, we only believe in Turkey's friendship," Khattab added.