Who will provide the muscle for a Syrian 'Islamic State-free zone'? What role will the U.S. play?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 05:02:59 -0400

As the U.S. and Turkey begin clearing Islamic State fighters from Syria’s northwestern border, their ambitious mission raises a new set of troubling questions, chief among them: Who will provide the military muscle to oust the extremists and protect civilians sheltering in the new buffer zone?.

The fracturing of Syria’s opposition suggests that the border region could fall quickly under the sway of Syrian rebels linked to Al Qaeda, insurgents nominally opposed to Islamic State but who share much of the group’s radical ideology.

At the same time, Turkey’s determination to defang forces from its own opposition by excluding them from the new border zone could undermine the very fighters — Kurdish rebel units — who until now have been the most effective ground forces battling Islamic State.

The issue has profound consequences not only for the fight against Islamic State but for Turkey’s political future as the country partners with the U.S. against the fundamentalist militants who now control large areas of Iraq and Syria and have established cells in Turkey as well.

The new buffer zone, stretching west 68 miles along the Syrian-Turkish border from the Euphrates, and 20 miles deep into Syria, would in theory scatter militants from the strategic area, stanch Islamic State’s flow of recruits and supplies from Turkish territory, and perhaps serve as a haven for multitudes of Syrian refugees.

As details have begun to surface, however, it has become clear that the still-evolving plan for an “Islamic State-free zone” is a complex and delicate undertaking that faces many obstacles and could be unworkable, or have calamitous unforeseen consequences. Some fear that the scheme could make things worse, escalating the Syrian conflict and refugee crisis.

The concept also poses a clear danger of U.S. mission creep, more direct U.S. involvement in the pulverizing Syrian war and the alienation of a key ally, the Syrian Kurdish militia forces.

Read more at ...

http://www.latimes.com/world/mideast/la-fg-nato-turkey-islamic-state-20150728-story.html#page=1

Who will provide the muscle for a Syrian 'Islamic State-free zone'?

As the U.S. and Turkey begin clearing Islamic State fighters from Syria&rsquo;s northwestern border, their ambitious mission raises a new set of troubling questions, chief among them: Who will provide the military muscle to oust the extremists and protect civilians sheltering in the new buffer zone?

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 31 at 2015 7:15 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 07:15:25 -0400

I'm not sure this is realistic. Additionally the U.S. Government doesn't have the stomach to get involved in a situation like this.

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Jul 31 at 2015 8:52 AM

SrA Daniel Hunter — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 08:52:49 -0400

If the Turks don't want the Kurds to gain territory it will have to be the Turks.

Response by MSgt Mike Brown; MBTI-CP; MA, Ph.D. made Aug 1 at 2015 3:34 PM

MSgt Mike Brown; MBTI-CP; MA, Ph.D. — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 15:34:56 -0400

A difficult question, and I'm unsure if there is a "best" answer at this point. I believe it important to remember what PM Netanyahu said pertaining to our enemies enemy is not exactly our friend. Perhaps the only solution involves re-engagement and continual occupation of Iraq as a first step in the muddles process, and with that goal, also the elimination of ISIS.