Why is Turkey attacking Syria? Border map and background to the tension explained

TURKEY has launched airstrikes and fired artillery in northern Syria in its bid to crush Kurdish fighters.

Here is what we know about the fast developing and lethal situation, which some fear will end up as a bloodbath. 

Why is Turkey attacking Syria?

Turkey has begun attacking the US-backed Kurdish militia People’s Protection Units (YPG), who lead the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria.

This followed US President Donald Trump’s decision to abandon its ally in the eight year old Syrian civil war against ISIS and the regime of dictator Bashir al-Assad.

Turkish hard-line President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly threatened military action because Kurds have established a self-governing region there. 

Erdogen views the Kurdish militias as terror groups with close links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which his country has fought a nearly four-decade war for Kurdish rights against the Turkish state.

He fears as long as the Syrian Kurd territory exists it will embolden his arch enemy, the PKK. 

Therefore he has ordered troops to attack the Kurdish forces after US forces withdrew.

Who are the Kurdish YPG militia?

The People’s Protection Units (YPG) are ethnic Kurds, who have teamed up with Arab militias to form the Syrian Democratic Forces.

With American help, they have been battling the Russian backed Syrian regime of dictator Bashir al-Assad.

The YPG have also been successfully fighting ISIS, which had exploited the Syrian civil war to set up its so-called caliphate. 

Thanks to US air strikes, weapons and advisers, they have captured tens of thousands of square miles of territory in north-eastern Syria from the death cult. 

A Kurdish autonomous administration has been set up, which is home to about two million civilians.

But it is feared the Turkish attack on them will unleash a potential bloodbath and instability across the region for years to come.

Trump’s decision to withdraw troops has drawn criticism from US Democrats and a rebuke from some of the President’s fellow Republicans in Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

He said an early US withdrawal “would only benefit Russia, Iran” and Syrian President Bashar Assad, who’s waging war against Syrian opposition forces.

The Kentucky Republican says it would also make it easier for ISIS to rebuild.

What has been happening so far?

October 7 — US pulls its troops from border between north-eastern Syria and Turkey 

October 8  — Tanks and troops amass on border sparking an exodus of civilians 

October 9 — Turkish strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his attack called called “Operation Peace Spring” has begun

October 9 — Air raids and artillery starts pummelling YPG territory, reportedly killing least five civilians and wounding dozens 

What do Syria’s Kurds say?

They have said they are determined to defend its territory “at all costs”.

But before the Turkish invasion began, their commanders warned the area they live in was “on the edge of a possible humanitarian catastrophe”.

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