Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring in northeast Syria on 9 October, targeting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and seeking a border buffer zone.

What happened

Air strikes and artillery preceded a ground advance. Ankara described the YPG, the main SDF component, as linked to the PKK and therefore a security threat.

Why it mattered

The operation followed movement of US troops away from parts of the border, drawing criticism because the SDF had been Washington’s principal local partner against Islamic State.

Context and consequences

The fighting displaced civilians and prompted urgent US and Russian diplomacy, altering control along the frontier.

Sources

• Reuters
• Al Jazeera