Operation Peace Spring

Since the onset of the civil war in Syria, Türkiye has consistently supported the country’s unity and territorial integrity along its southern border. Taking a leading role in international initiatives, Türkiye has conducted operations against the separatist terrorist organizations Daesh and YPG/PKK, making clear it will not allow a terror corridor to form along its frontier. Türkiye has repeatedly emphasized its determination to eliminate the ongoing YPG/PKK threat along one-third of its border.

Hosting more than 3.6 million Syrians under “temporary protection” status, Türkiye launched Operation Peace Spring, which also aimed to enable the establishment of a safe zone. Conducted within the scope of Türkiye’s rights under international law and following intensive diplomatic efforts, the operation was carried out with maximum sensitivity to civilian safety. Rapid progress was made against the terrorist organization on the ground, and the agreements Türkiye reached with the United States and Russia marked major political achievements.

This book explores the structure of PKK terrorism in Türkiye and Syria, Türkiye’s border security concerns, threats to Syria’s territorial integrity and to the safe return of Syrians, and the developments that led Türkiye to launch a military operation east of the Euphrates. It also provides a summary of the successful operation’s progress and documents the historic agreements Türkiye reached for the region’s future.