Turkey may position howitzer batteries in Syria, says defense analyst

Turkey’s determination to not allow a fait accompli in the east of the Euphrates has been proved yet again through concrete steps taken on the field. While strikes targeting PKK/YPG positions in the region are burying the terrorists in the trenches they dug, experts believe that Turkey may soon station howitzer batteries in Syria. This will enable hits to target a greater region and for the Turkish military to tighten its grip around the PKK/YPG terror group.

Turkey struck YPG positions in the Zor Magar area to the west of northern Syria’s Ayn al-Arab region on Oct. 28. Howitzers were used during this operation, and initial reports indicated that 10 terrorists were neutralized.

The move came two days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a “final warning” to those who would endanger Turkey’s borders, saying Ankara was determined to focus its attention on terrorists positioned east of the Euphrates.

Defense analyst Turan Oğuz evaluated the goals and probable results of the operation in an exclusive interview with Yeni Şafak daily.

Oğuz dubbed the move as a way to “measure the PKK’s reaction and U.S. response, and reduce the morale and motivation of the PKK.”

The type and period of reaction is being analyzed by military experts at a Turkish base, Oğuz said.

“All of the strikes have a cause-result relationship. The Turkish army is monitoring and noting all the changes on the field following these hits. We can say that a coordinated effort is being run with Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT) in terms of the changes of the field,” Oğuz added.

Oğuz said that the importance of areas where Turkey has established dominance following the success of its Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations will be better understood in the coming days.

“In the case of a probable land operation, artillery will also move forward into Syria,” Oğuz said, noting that the howitzer batteries that struck the east of the Euphrates are currently positioned within Turkey’s borders.

“In this way, the range can be used more effectively and the damage inflicted on the targets will increase. This constitutes a difficult period for the PKK/YPG, because the terrorists became closely acquainted with the impact of Turkish howitzers during the Euphrates Shield Operation. It appears that the same end awaits the terrorists,” Oğuz said.