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The Syrian Army is expected to launch operations east of the Euphrates River against the YPG/SDF terrorist group, with Türkiye providing intelligence and air support, according to Turkish security sources cited by the Turkish media outlet Türkiye daily on Sunday.
"Turkish soldiers will enter if needed, but we do not think it will come to that stage," security sources told the newspaper's Yucel Kayaoglu.
Security sources said operations that began west of the Euphrates after the deadline for SDF integration into the Damascus administration expired will gradually move toward the east of the river.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's statement last week that "everyone sees and knows that the terror organization is an actor that only changes position when it sees force" was proven correct by the SDF's decision to withdraw from west of the Euphrates, security sources noted.
"The SDF's plans to divide Syria collapsed after the group failed to receive expected support from the United States and Israel, and regional countries sided with Syria," the report noted.
"The terror group observed during operations west of the Euphrates that this support did not arrive and will not arrive in the future," Kayaoglu added
Türkiye and Syria's determination to proceed with SDF integration will continue, with the March 10 Agreement viewed as a red line by both countries, the report noted, adding that "There is no alternative to SDF integration for Türkiye's 'terror-free Türkiye' process to advance."
"Despite imprisoned PKK ringleader Abdullah Ocalan's message calling for compliance with the March 10 Agreement during his meeting with a Turkish parliamentary delegation and in his letter to Mazloum Abdi, the integration process stalled due to opposition from Bahoz Erdal and Mihrac Ural, who resist disarmament. Security sources indicated new communication could be established between Ocalan and Mazloum Abdi," the report noted.
"No new timeline for integration is currently being considered. However, if no progress is made within one month at the latest, the Syrian Army will launch operations east of the Euphrates with Turkish intelligence and air support," the Turkish journalist wrote.
Security sources said if operations east of the Euphrates proceed, the first phase will target Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor.
"The critical point here is Raqqa. After Raqqa, progress in other areas will be easier. Damascus and Türkiye are determined to advance to Qamishli. The SDF has been shown that a major clearing operation will take place. However, it is thought that before it comes to Qamishli, the organization will return to the table and be forced into integration," security sources said.
There will be no retreat on commitments in the March 10 Agreement, including the handover of border crossings, dams and oil regions to the Damascus administration, the report noted.
"The excuse of 'Kurdish rights and recognition' that the terror organization has used has been eliminated by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's decree," sources noted.
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A part of Syria's Deir ez-Zor province that had been under the occupation of the terrorist organization YPG/SDF has been largely liberated by tribal forces east of the Euphrates River.
After capturing the southern and central parts of the province, tribal forces expanded their control northward toward Raqqa and al-Hasakah, largely securing the provincial borders.
The settlements of Mheimide, Suwaidan Jazira, Murad, Giranic, Tayyane, Al-Jarzi, Al-Husseiniyah, Halabiye, Al-Baghour, Al-Boubadran, Al-Bahrah, Susah, Abu Hardub, Al-Shenan, Darnaj, Diban, Al-Hawayij, Al Busayrah, Subha, Dehla, Jadid Baggara, Khasham, Mazlum, Al-Hisan, Jafra Field, Huwayij Bumasah, and Sawa in Deir ez-Zor are now under the control of the tribal forces.
According to a statement by the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, local tribes had also liberated the area containing the Omar oil field and the Conoco gas field from the terror group.
Türkiye provided important guidance to both Ahmed al-Sharaa and military officials regarding Syrian Army operations west of the Euphrates, according to the report.
"President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized to al-Sharaa in their latest phone call the need to be very sensitive regarding civilians. Türkiye shared its experience from trench operations, explaining to Syrian military officials how to proceed step by step to prevent civilian casualties," the report concluded.
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