Turkey plans safe haven in areas controlled by Free Syrian Army and Islamic Front

Sevil Erkuş ANKARA

The safe haven will not include any region in northern Syria that is under the control of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) or the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). AA Photo

Turkey is drawing up plans for a safe haven on the border in Syria that will secure regions controlled by the Free Syrian Army and the Islamic Front, possibly manned only by Turkish troops, according to security sources.

Ankara would prefer any safe haven to be established by U.S.–led coalition forces, but the Turkish Armed Forces is preparing to establish a safe haven even unaccompanied by foreign troops, sources said.

The safe haven will not include any region in northern Syria that is under the control of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) or the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), so the Turkish forces will not come into contact with those groups, they added.
 
Turkey is willing to declare a safe haven in Syria in order to contain the mass influx of Syrians into Turkish territory before they cross into the border. Ankara also plans to transfer Syrian refugees that are currently taking shelter in Turkish territory to new camps in the intended safe haven in northern Syria.

Meanwhile, the Turkish government is set to ask Parliament for authorization to allow foreign soldiers to use its bases for cross-border incursions against Islamic State militants, and to send Turkish troops into Syria and Iraq.