Turkish special forces deployed to Idlib border

Turkish army soldiers stand guard as Kurdish people wait in a hope to enter Cizre, a town subject to a curfew as part of a controversial operation against Kurdish rebels, on March 22, 2016 in Mardin, for Newroz celebration. Nowruz, the Farsi-language word for ‘New Year’, is an ancient Persian festival, celebrated on the first day of spring, March 21, in Central Asian republics, Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan and Iran. / AFP PHOTO / ILYAS AKENGIN

BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:20 P.M.) – The Turkish military deployed its special forces to the border of the Syrian province of Idlib last night, the Asharq Al-Aswat publication reported on Sunday.

According to the publication, the military convoy transported several commandos through the southern region of the Hatay Province, where they ultimately took up positions along the Idlib border.

This move by the Turkish military comes just days after they deployed a large number of soldiers to the northern countryside of Aleppo.

The Turkish troops were specifically deployed to the outskirts of two important cities: Jarabulus and Manbij.

Manbij is currently under the control of a local military council that is loyal to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Turkey considers the Syrian Democratic Forces to be a terrorist group that is an offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Turkish President Recep has already vowed to clear the eastern region of the Euphrates River Valley of the “terrorist groups” there; however, with the presence of the U.S.-led Coalition across this area, Ankara may be forced to delay the operation.