ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday announced pro-Ankara Syrian rebels were launching a new military operation in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province to push out the jihadists who control the region.

The move comes as Turkey, along with Russia and Iran, prepare to set up a so-called “de-escalation” zone in Idlib in line with accords in peace talks in Astana aimed at ending the Syrian civil war.

Turkish commando units and military vehicles have reportedly massed on the border but are yet to cross, in what will be Ankara’s second major Syria operation after its Euphrates Shield incursion last year.

“We are taking new steps to ensure security in Idlib. Today, a very serious operation is ongoing in Idlib and this will continue,” Erdogan said in a televised speech in the western city of Afyon.

He later told reporters the operation was led by Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels and that the Turkish army was “not yet” operating inside Syria.

Aron Lund, fellow with The Century Foundation think tank, said any Turkish operation “is likely to rely on a mix of Turkish and Syrian forces”.

He said Turkey would contribute special forces, logistics, artillery and tanks but Syria rebels would make up “much of” the ground force.

Idlib is largely controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group led by Al Qaeda’s former Syria affiliate, which ousted more moderate rebels in recent months.

HTS is not party to a deal brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran for the safe zone in the province, one of four such “de-escalation” zones across Syria.

“If Turkey decides to go head to head with HTS, I’m sure they will meet severe resistance,” Lund said.

Ousting HTS forces from the area will be needed to allow the arrival of Iranian, Russian and Turkish forces to implement a de-escalation zone.

“We will absolutely not allow the creation of a terror corridor along our borders,” said Erdogan.

State-run Anadolu news agency said there was a major build up of commando units and military vehicles around the town of Reyhanli bordering Idlib close to the Cilvegozu border crossing.

The Hurriyet daily said ultimately Turkey would ensure security in Idlib city and Russia in the surrounding area.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2017