Turkey’s Campaign in Afrín

Abstract

The current analysis offers an overview of the circumstances and potential consequences of the Turkish offensive that began in Afrín on January 20, 2018, Operation Olive Branch (Zeytin Dalı harekatı). The Afrín operations open a new chapter in the Syrian conflict: through this move Ankara widens its space for maneuver, and if it can occupy the territory, it can deliver a severe blow to the Syrian Kurds who have not experienced serious international support since the operations began.