(
Syria) Turkey has recently revived its proposal to establish a safe zone inside Syria. In an interview with France 24, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara is planning to send troops 45 kilometers [into Syria] “to secure the Manbij pocket and this area will become a de facto safe zone.” According to Cavusoglu, the plan aims to boost security and allow more refugees to return home while also enabling additional local Syrian troops to be trained for the continued fight against ISIS. Despite the failure of Turkey’s previous attempts to create a no-fly zone in Syria, recent developments, locally and internationally, show clear signs that a de facto safe zone, protected by US air power, is now being carved out in northern Syria.
