The Euphrates Shield Operation, conducted in Syria by the Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army (FSA), turned towards Al-Bab after yielding significant results in Jarablus.
The U.S., however, has failed time and time again to keep promises and support Turkey, its NATO ally. The U.S. has continued to provide arms for the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which they describe as a “reliable partner".
The terrorist group PYD has received continual support from the U.S. on the field, and currently operates in northern Syria, close to the Turkish border.
Groups like the PYD and People's Protection Units, or YPG, are offshoots of the PKK, which has been considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU. The PKK has engaged in armed attacks against Turkey for over three decades.
Sources have said that the YPG, strengthened by recent weapons deliveries by the U.S., is preparing to launch an attack on the Turkish Armed Forces and the FSA between Manbij and Al-Bab.
'Don't advance more than 20 kilometers from Ankara'
Security sources have reported that the U.S. requested that Turkey does not go further than 20 kilometers from Ankara, the capital city.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while attending the opening of Ankara's new metro extension, reacted to the United States' statement by saying, “They didn't say 'Don't go further' for nothing. They didn't say 'Don't go further than 20 kilometers' for nothing. Whatever they say, we have already taken the matter into our own hands and we are continuing on our way. Their plans had fizzled when Turkey went onto the field."
The reason behind such a request is thought to be the operation in Al-Bab.
Yeni Şafak Daily writer Mehmet Acet believes the US' statement is not referring to Ankara but rather means 'Don't advance 20 kilometers from the Turkish border in Syria,' or: 'Don't advance to Al-Bab.'
Turkey's operation in Al-Bab is aimed to clear the region of the Daesh terrorist group, and has so far yielded significant results. There is a 30 kilometer distance between Turkey's border and Al-Bab.
Upon capturing Al-Bab from Daesh, Turkish officials announced that the next target would be Manbij and Afrin in order to clear the area of PKK and PYD terrorists.
Upon announcing the new direction of the Euphrates Shield Operation, Turkey has been encouraged by the U.S. to target Al Nusra instead.
The only goal behind trying to push Turkey to combat Nusra is to protect the PKK/PYD and try and distract Turkey from focusing on more critical matters.
It would not be surprising if Turkey was left to fight alone against the very terrorist organizations that the West, and the U.S. in particular, is supplying weapons to.
The operations underway in Al-Bab as part of the Euphrates Shield Operation have continued to yield significant results in 2017. A 2,000-square-kilometer area has been cleared of terror groups so far.
Turkey launched the Euphrates Shield Operation on August 24 in Syria to ensure its border security and combat terrorist groups, such as Daesh and the PKK, lingering near its borders.
The Euphrates Shield Operation has yielded significant results in Al-Bab, pushing forward into the Daesh stronghold.
Terrorism and security expert Abdullah Ağar said that the U.S. was trying to protect the PYD.
“Turkey's biggest problem is the terror state being established in northern Syria. There is currently an effort to protect them. We will target them [PKK/PYD], these are just efforts to try and distract us," he said.
