Turkey offering save haven for ISIS in Syria

Mustafa Kamel                               

Since the killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former leader of ISIS, in an operation by the international coalition in October 2019, Turkish-controlled areas in Syria have become spheres of influence for a long list of terrorist organizations.

Terror haven

During the period between the killing of al-Baghdadi and the last quarter of this year, the international coalition killed more than 40 leaders of these organizations and factions in different Syrian regions.

The leaders of terrorist organizations and factions loyal to Ankara were all killed in the strikes, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

It said the coalition especially targeted areas controlled by the Tahrir al-Sham and Turkey-backed factions, including Idlib, the northern and eastern countryside of Aleppo, Raqqa and Hasaka.

The spokesman of the US Central Command threatened recently against the presence of terrorist groups in these areas.

He described them as a ‘great threat’.

Factions affiliated to al-Qaeda, he added, still pose a threat to the US and its allies.

He noted that al-Qaeda uses Syria as a safe haven to re-formulate itself and coordinates with its branches overseas.

The spokesman warned that al-Qaeda is planning a series of operations in different countries.

He said the killing of terror leaders would negatively affect their organizations, especially in areas where they plan and launch attacks.

Murderers in Turkey’s sphere

The international coalition targeted 51 people in areas controlled by Turkey, including 41 terrorists of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities.

Some of the people killed were leaders of ISIS, the Guardians of Religion Organization and al-Qaeda.

Some civilians were also killed in the same strikes, including two women and two children.