Turkey sends military equipment to troops near Syrian border

A military shipment of storm howitzer artillery and M114s were transported to Turkey’s Elbeyli district in the border province of Kilis. A convoy of 10 trucks carrying storm howitzers and M114s were sent to border police stations to combat the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the Democratic Union Party (PYD)/People’s Protection Units (YPG) on the Syrian side of the border.

The military equipment was deployed to border troops affiliated to the 3rd Border Battalion Command.

Throughout Turkey’s history, the country has launched numerous cross-border operations and comprehensive military campaigns. The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) was first deployed overseas when the Grand National Assembly issued the decision to take up arms in the Korean War. The Turkish Brigade that took part in the Korean War was known for its combat skills, determined defense, commitment to its mission and bravery.

In the years that followed, the TAF fought across a wide geographical area extending from Africa to Europe. Following the Gulf War, the Turkish military waged a war against the PKK terrorist organization, which has its safe haven positioned in northern Iraq.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.

Turkey’s most recent military expedition was Operation Euphrates Shield. The TAF launched the Operation Euphrates Shield in conjunction with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) on the morning of Aug. 24, 2016. The TAF and FSA had rapid success, and quickly freed Jarabulus.

The FSA, backed by the TAF, headed toward al-Bab on Sept. 19 as the Mare-Azaz-Jarabulus-al-Rai area and its surroundings had been recaptured.

Following the removal of Daesh from the region, the PKK/PYD was also thwarted from the north. The second most important victory of the Operation Euphrates Shield after the capture of Jarabulus was the capture of Dabiq.

On Nov. 10, the advance of the PKK/PYD toward al-Bab from the west was stopped. With Turkish troops, the FSA cleared al-Bab of terrorist organizations in February.