Syrian Forces to Back Kurds Against Turkey
- Turkey began cross-border operation on January 20 in Afrin
- Turkish minister says Syria plan will not derail offensive
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Syrian government-backed forces are set to enter the border town of Afrin in the coming hours to support Kurdish fighters battling Turkish troops, Syria’s state-run media reported on Monday, raising the risk of dragging Turkey deeper into the seven-year war.
The move aims to “support our people against the Turkish regime’s aggression,” according to a brief report carried by the official SANA news agency. The deployment will be of “popular” forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, Sky News Arabia reported. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the plan will not derail his country’s offensive.