The Turkish military crossed into Idlib, Syria, earlier this week to establish a peace corridor rather than terror, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said Wednesday. “We are on the field to make our precautions in advance”, he said, asserting: “We are trying to establish a peace belt rather than terror”. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) issued a written statement on Oct. 9, declaring that Turkish forces crossed into Idlib, Syria, on Oct. 8, to reconnoiter as part of efforts to bring peace to the area. The statement said the goals of the de-escalation zones, which were declared on Dec. 30, 2016, and guaranteed by Turkey, Russia and Iran through the Astana process, aim to increase the effectiveness of the cease-fire agreement, end armed clashes, provide humanitarian aid to those in need, establish proper conditions for displaced people to return and establish conditions for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Turkey also aims to contain the Afrin region, which is controlled by the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the PKK affiliate in Syria, and its People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia.
