By ISW Syria Team and Syria Direct
Turkish
President Recep Erdogan reiterated that the “ultimate goal” of Turkey in
Operation Euphrates Shield is the establishment of a five-thousand square
kilometer ‘safe zone’ that includes Al-Bab, Manbij, and Ar-Raqqa City in Northern Syria during a speech on
February 12. Erdogan
stated that the proposed “terrorist-free zone” would require the implementation
of a no-fly zone, noting that he had discussed the issue with both the U.S. and Russia. The
statement came after pro-regime forces supported by Russia and Lebanese
Hezbollah effectively completed the encirclement of ISIS in Al-Bab in line with
a predetermined agreement between Russia and Turkey. Meanwhile, preparations
continued for the next round of Geneva Talks on the Syrian Civil War scheduled
to begin on February 23. The High Negotiations Committee (HNC) approved a watered-down
delegation to the talks that replaced several key armed opposition
representatives with civilian members of the exiled political opposition as
well as delegates from domestic opposition factions backed by Russia that lack
legitimacy on the ground. The potential for successful talks also remains muted
amidst continued calls by armed opposition groups for the full implementation
of a nationwide ceasefire, humanitarian access, and prisoner releases agreed
upon at the Astana Talks on January 23 – 24.
These graphics mark the latest installment of our Syria SITREP Map made possible through a partnership between the Institute for the Study of War and Syria Direct. The graphic depicts significant recent developments in the Syrian Civil War. The control of terrain represented on the graphic is accurate as of February 16, 2017.
