Kurdish Militia Dig More Tunnels, Trenches in Northern Syria after Turkish Military Threats
The Kurdish militias have embarked on digging more tunnels and trenches at the Northern borders of Raqqa province with Turkey after Ankara forces threatened to launch military operation on the Eastern bank of the Euphrates River in Syria, a Syrian daily reported on Monday.
The Arabic-language al-Watan daily reported that the Kurdish units have built more bunkers, dug more tunnels and reinvigorated their posts and positions in several districts in the town of Tal Abyadh in Northern Raqqa and at border with Turkey.
The daily went on to say that the Kurds have dug long tunnels and trenches from East of Tal Abyadh up to a Power Plant Southwest of the town, adding that the Kurds also have dug long tunnels and tranches between al-Toweihanah region and the village of al-Mantabah near the border with Turkey and also between al-Mantabah and the Old Gate in al-Sakhani neighborhood.
The daily further said that the Kurdish move came after the Turkish army boosted its military presence in Ankara-occupied region, adding that the Kurds also are worried about a plan of the US forces to leave them alone in the war against the Ankara forces.
The Turkish army had announced that it was mulling to kick off a large-scale operation on the Eastern bank of the Euphrates River in Northeastern Syria.
In a relevant development on Saturday, the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG) were preparing for a major showdown with the Turkish military in Northeastern Aleppo.
According to local activists, the YPG was seen raising trenches and building new positions in Western Manbij amid reports of a possible military operation by the Turkish Army.
Furthermore, the YPG brought in reinforcements in order to strengthen their forces around Manbij.
The Turkey’s recent comments about the presence of Kurdish fighters inside Manbij raised a lot of red flags for the YPG, as it appears Ankara was preparing to launch a new operation to expel the group from the city.
While the US currently has a military presence in Manbij, it appears Turkey is not willing to budge; they are demanding the complete withdrawal of the YPG or else they will attack.
