Battle of Ras al-Ayn (2019)

The second Battle of Ras al-Ayn is an ongoing battle in the Syrian Civil War between Turkish Armed Forces, Turkish Free Syrian Army Militia and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)

Background

Following the announcement of a US troop withdrawal by President Trump, and the confirmation to Turkey that US troops would not stop a Turkish invasion, Turkey made moves to invade Syria via the North East, in an effort to enforce a 30 kilometre safe zone, and attack Kurdish forces in the area, who they claimed to be terrorists threatening the area. The annoucnemnet of the withdrawalk of US troops on the 7th of October came as a suprise to the SDF, however they were somewhat prepared for and invasion, despite the fact the the US had removed fortifications they had built, in order to meet Turkish demands about the enforcement of a safe zone. Turkish forces had removed concrete barrier on the border, and were built up on the border, waiting to attack. Turkish forces, and their allied Turkish Free Syrian Army forces (also referred as Syrian National Army) cross into Syria on the 9th of October There was large international condemnation of this incursion, and a number of European countries used arms embargoes.

Initial Movements

Small Forward troops crossed into Turkey, moving close to Ras Al-Ayn and Tal Abyad on the 9th of October . The Town was initially attacked by artiller and aerial bombing by the Turkish air force, which results in some of the civilian population fleeing hte area, heading south . Reinforced Turkish units proceeded to move towards the town and Tal Abyad.

Turkish forces move into Ras al-Ayn

On the 12th of October, more Substantive Turkish forces attacked the town, moving into it, with some indications that Turkish forces had moved into the centre of the town. At the same time, the SDF did a tactical retreat, pulling back before the Turkish forces in response to a Turkish artillery bombardment of their areas. Clashes continued in the Industrial district