Turkey Considers Land Operations To Syria To Attack Kurdish Militants, But Not The Only Choice

A joint patrol of the Turkish and US militaries in Syria. (Wikimedia Commons/Spc. Alec Dionne)

Turkey has not closed the possibility of carrying out land operations into Syria, to attack Kurdish militant bases after the weekend suicide bombing in Ankara, although it is also not the only option.

On Wednesday, Turkey said the two attackers were from Syria. The bombing killed both attackers and injured two police officers. Syrian Democratic forces, Kurdish-backed forces, denied the bombers had passed through their territory.

However, a Turkish Defense Ministry official on Thursday said ground operations to Syria were one option the country could consider.

Turkey itself has previously carried out several attacks on northern Syria, targeting the Syrian Kurdish YPG group.

"Our only goal is to eliminate terrorist organizations that pose a threat to Turkey. Land operations are one option to eliminate this threat, but that's not the only option for us," the official said.

Meanwhile, security forces in northeastern Syria said Turkey launched a series of attacks on Thursday, in which more than 15 drones entered airspace in the region and hit targets including gas and oil infrastructure and stations.

In a statement, security forces said the Turkish attack killed six members of an internal security force in northeastern Syria, and two civilians in two separate attacks.

In response, Kurdish militants launched rocket attacks on Turkish military bases in northern Syria on Thursday night, wounding five police officers and three soldiers, Turkish private news agency DHA reported.

Turkey is known to have doubled its operations targeting banned PKK groups, by carrying out airstrikes in northern Iraq.

Turkish officials say all energy infrastructure and facilities in Iraq and Syria controlled by the PKK, as well as the YPG, are legitimate military targets.

"PKK and YPG are the same terrorist organizations, they are our legitimate targets everywhere. Turkey has carried out operations whenever and wherever necessary, and this operation will continue if needed again," the defense ministry official said.

In addition, Turkey has warned third-state troops to stay away from places controlled by the PKK and YPG.

"We call on all parties, especially our friendly countries and allies, to stay away from these terrorists. This is just a reminder. It's up to them to take the necessary precautions," the official said, without naming any country.

It is known, the YPG is the spearhead of the main ally of the US-led coalition against ISIS. Support from the United States and other allies, including France, against the YPG, has exacerbated relations with Ankara.