Turkey, Syria, and Jordan Establish Joint Operations Center to Combat ISIL: Sources' Alleged Information
Turkey, Syria, and Jordan Form Joint Unit to Combat ISIL
In a significant move against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Turkey, Syria, and Jordan have established a joint coordination unit in Damascus. According to sources from the Turkish Defense Ministry, this unit began operations on May 19, following an invitation from the Syrian government.
The coordination unit serves as a tripartite effort among these three countries to counter the ISIL threat, with Turkey providing military personnel and logistical support, Syria hosting the unit, and Jordan contributing to intelligence sharing, border security, and operational planning.
The establishment of the unit follows broader regional agreements, involving additional countries, but it primarily focuses on the tripartite cooperation among Turkey, Syria, and Jordan. Iraq and Lebanon, although part of earlier agreements, are not directly involved in the Damascus-based coordination unit.
The primary role of the unit is to centralize intelligence and operational coordination among the three countries to detect, track, and prevent ISIL activities within Syria and along its borders. Turkey has already deployed military personnel to Damascus, although the exact numbers and ranks have not been disclosed. The emphasis is on preventing ISIL from infiltrating borders or regrouping, particularly in the southern and eastern regions of Syria.
The joint coordination unit represents a shift toward regional leadership in counterterrorism, potentially reducing reliance on international coalitions led by the United States. However, Turkey continues to push for the integration of the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with the Syrian army, as stipulated in earlier agreements. This integration process has been criticized for taking longer than expected.
ISIL remains a significant security concern, with ongoing operations targeting its cells across Syria, especially in the northern and eastern regions. The formation of this unit is seen as a challenge to the U.S.-backed SDF’s dominant role in fighting ISIL and managing ISIL detainees in northern Syria. As of now, the coordination unit in Damascus is fully operational and working towards ensuring the stability and security of the region.
In the realm of politics and general news, this joint coordination unit in Damascus among Turkey, Syria, and Jordan serves to address war-and-conflicts, particularly against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Beyond the primary focus on ISIL, the unit also addresses crime-and-justice matters, as it involves intelligence sharing and operational planning for border security to prevent infiltration and regrouping of ISIL cells.
