Turkish forces and allied Syrian factions cross the border to clear ISIS from Jarabulus to al-Bab — and to block the YPG from linking its eastern cantons with Afrin. Türkiye's first ground operation begins a permanent military presence in northern Syria.
Why it mattersThe intervention established the pattern of Turkish policy that holds to this day: counter-ISIS in name and counter-YPG in priority, with ground held through Syrian proxies and Turkish garrisons.