Turkey trained Syrian factions on "special operations", the results are disappointing.

Turkey trained Syrian factions on "special operations", the results are disappointing.
June 13, 2019, 3:28 pm

Turkey trained Syrian factions on a "special operations", the results are disappointing.

Turkey trained Syrian factions on a "special operations", the results are disappointing.

An investigation revealed that Turkey had decided to train fighters in Syrian armed factions for special operations, including "sabotage, vandalism, etc." However, the fighters failed to achieve any results, although some of the training aims were for Turkish purposes.

The Turkish, Nordic Monitor reported on Tuesday, that it had obtained secret Turkish military documents showing that Ankara had promoted the training for Syrian factions on what it is described as "special operations", including sabotage, manufacturing of explosives and guerrilla tactics.

One of those documents, dated to June 2016, refers to the training of 151 militants jointly with the United States until October 2016, this document was signed by Yasser Guler, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Turkish Army at that time, and the current commander of the army.

Turkey has decided to go on with the military training program secretly following the US withdrawal, according to the Nordic Monitor, which indicated that Ankara has trained 312 militants depending on this program, according to the documents.

A review on the leaked documents indicates that the Turkish training program focused in particular on the Berbukak area in north-western Syria near the border, where the Turkmen minority live.

In February 2016, Turkey launched a coordination centre for operations in the border province of Hatay. Guler said 117 members of the Syrian factions were trained in unconventional operations, including sabotage, guerrilla tactics, and manufacturing of explosives.

The documents also show details of a process that was supposed to be carried out by Turkey and the United States together in 2015 to liberate an area in northern Syria controlled by ISIS, an extent of 98 kilometres and a depth of 40 kilometres, and the Turkish government agreed to place US warplanes on its state in preparation for the operation.

However, things did not go as planned by Ankara, and Guler was frustrated because of the failure of "Agate Noble", and because it was cancelled due to the unwillingness of the Americans to accomplish, instead of that America allied with the Kurdish forces against ISIS.

Turkish affairs specialized website did not explain the reason behind the American abandonment of the operation.

In a related context, the Turkish general said that the Syrian factions failed to gain any significant achievement in the border area, despite the Turkish artillery support and training during fighting in the region against the Syrian regime forces.

Yasser Guler recommended more training for the Syrian factions, the selection of local gunmen and more American aerospace defence.

The Nordic Monitor agency concluded that the leaked documents sent to the Office of the Prime Minister, Foreign Intelligence and Foreign Ministry offices reaffirm the involvement of the Turkish army in the civil war that has torn Syria apart for years.

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