turkey is a nato ally. and america will be duty—bound to support them, even though the turks generally view the kurds as terrorist. you mentioned the pkk. it has been calling for an independent kurdish state within turkey for decades. but it is also lending military support to the kurds currently fighting in syria, but also in iraq. it is a listed terrorist organisation, not just also in iraq. it is a listed terrorist organisation, notjust by turkey, but also by several states and organisations, including nato, the us and the european union. the fudge is that kurdish militia groups come ina fudge is that kurdish militia groups come in a number of different varieties. america will continue backing what they view as the good kurds to try to wipe out groups like ices. —— isis. we have to remember that america have been paddling up to fight a common enemy. more re ce ntly to fight a common enemy. more recently in libya, they supported the rebels, many of whom were affiliated with al-qaeda. we also must be

turkey sees them as terrorists, linked to the outlawed pkk, who have long fought an insurgency in turkey on behalf of the kurdish minority. and it wants them pushed back from the border town of afrin. turkey's president has his own troops fighting for their hero. and with elections next year, war rallies his support base. translation: this is a national struggle, and in this national struggle, we will crush anyone who stands against us. that's a message that resonates in border villages, where grape grower omer gazel and his friends watched the jets. translation: we felt proud and happy as they took off. everyone came out to bid them farewell. but the ypg has backing, too. both in syria, where kurds rallied today, and beyond. translation: we condemn the attack on afrin, and we tell our brothers there that they are in our hearts, and that we are with them. because of the bravery of the ypg heroes, we will win the battle in afrin. the us armed them in the fight against the islamic state group, infuriating turkey. france too voiced support for them today, calling on turkey to pull back. but

how will that go down in turkey? there are many kurdish people in turkey, could it become a risk for the president?m this military intervention becomes a long and protracted conflict and there is a serious possibility that there is a serious possibility that the kurdish people in turkey will become increasingly agitated and will express sympathy with their brethren in northern syria. however, if this is a swift military operation in the risk will be minimised. is a message to the us, who are arming and supporting the kurdish people as they fight in syria against the outside forces? —— assad forces. could there be tensions between turkey and america now? if the turkish military intervention is quick and swift then i think the likelihood of a rupture between the us and turkey will be reduced. after this operation, in all likelihood, i think there will be some sort of rapprochement between the two countries because neither can afford for the declining relationship to continue much longer. put us into the biggest pic

turkey sees them as terrorists, linked to the outlawed pkk, who have long fought an insurgency in turkey on behalf of the kurdish minority. and it wants them pushed back from the border town of afrin. turkey's president has his own troops fighting for their hero. and with elections next year, war rallies his support base. translation: this is a national struggle, and in this national struggle, we will crush anyone who stands against us. that's a message that resonates in border villages, where grape grower omer gazel and his friends watched the jets. translation: we felt proud and happy as they took off. everyone came out to bid them farewell. but the ypg has backing, too. both in syria, where kurds rallied today, and beyond. translation: we condemn the attack on afrin, and we tell our brothers there that they are in our hearts, and that we are with them. because of the bravery of the ypg heroes, we will win the battle in afrin. the us armed them in the fight against the islamic state group, infuriating turkey. france too voiced support for them today, calling on turkey to pull back. but

according to the arab news, a deal was struck between russia and turkey and if turkey stays within that 30 kilometre border zone, it will be fine for them to launch a ground assault and also based on the assumption that they will turn this territory over to the government of bashar al—assad afterwards. it is a bit interesting because it is conflicting with previous news at court into which he was condemning the attack and it also raised the question of why turkey is getting involved. there is quite a lot of involvement from turkey because of the kurdish group which is according to turkey, linked to the pkk which is not really well—received in turkey. the group itself, the ypg, is denying that. we will see the un security council talking about this later today. we have seen france, the us and other powers edging turkey to restrain its actions and ta ke turkey to restrain its actions and take care that they wouldn't be any civilians involved —— urging. 0f course syria, as we have seen over the past couple of years, a very messy situation. so complex. he mentioned america because t

turkey has been incensed us support for the ypg which it sees as terrorists. it's as american arms given to them and up with kurdish militants across the border in turkey. —— end up. the ypg are effective fighters with american support. washington wants and corrupt a pullback in turkey risks a major confrontation with each nato ally. russian forces control the sky at bath and have their own military personnel on the ground —— above. the assad regime said it would shoot down any turkish jets. and there are civilians in manbij who would be at risk of an offensive. no, turkey has form in this. in 2016, operation euphrates shield, they hit ypg positions. turkey said this offensive will be a continuation with syrian rebel support. what it boils down to is yet another front in the syrian conflict. a seven year long civil and proxy war that has killed an estimated half a million people. one year since president trump's inauguration we're looking back at his first year in office. pennsylvania was one of the key states in delivering his victory. he inspired hop

enemies and thatis crush all of turkey's enemies and that is the kurds both in syria and in turkey so that is a huge game and not just about this region. in turkey so that is a huge game and notjust about this region. it goes further and that is about 50 kilometres east. and we saw the turkish forces carry out an offensive of more limited nature in 2015 to prevent the kurds from bringing that to canton is together into one and they backed off to some extent. at the moment it is difficult to see which forced, beside the kurds themselves will stand up to them. ypg are known for battling against the militants, tough opponent. how far could the repercussions spread and how long will it go on? i think mark is correct that this could be a long campaign. the ypg is more battle hardened than it was and it was the force that drove isis out of rack. —— raqqa. they are well ensconced where they are, the kurdish area, where they are, the kurdish area, where they are, the kurdish area, where they got support from the local population. there are other kurdish forces near and other parts of the

no, turkey has form in this. in 2016, operation euphrates shield, led by turkish troops and syrian rebels, cleared is from jarablus, al—rai and al bab, and also hit ypg positions. turkey says this offensive will be a continuation with syrian rebel support. what it boils down to is yet another front in the syrian conflict. a seven year long civil and proxy war that has killed an estimated half a million people. tens of thousands of women have been protesting in cities across the united states to mark the first anniversary of president trump's inauguration. in washington, demonstrators heard speeches by a number of politicians, including hillary clinton's running mate, senator tim kaine. there's been a march in new york too. but the total number of participants was much lower than the estimated five million who marched on january 21st last year, one of the largest protests in us history. well, one year on from president trump's inauguration we're looking back at his first year in office. pennsylvania was one of t

no, turkey has form in this. in 2016, operation euphrates shield, led by turkish troops and syrian rebels, cleared is from jarablus, al—rai and al bab, and also hit ypg positions. turkey says this offensive will be a continuation with syrian rebel support. what it boils down to is yet another front in the syrian conflict. a seven year long civil and proxy war that has killed an estimated half a million people. one year since president trump's inauguration we're looking back at his first year in office. pennsylvania was one of the key states in delivering his victory. he inspired hope among many working class voters in places like bethlehem, a former steel town that hadn't voted for a republican for president since the 1980s. nick bryant went there to see how people rate his performance so far. it was rust—belt towns that helped put donald trump in the white house — one—time steel powerhouses such as bethlehem, pennsylvania, which hadn't gone republican since the 1980s. democratic strongholds that became t

mark lowen reports from near the turkey—syria border. it began today, so called operation olive branch. turkish f16 fighter jets pounding afrin, an enclave of northern syria under the control of the syrian militia, the ypg. and turkish—backed syrian rebel fighters are on the ground as part of that offensive. turkey sees the ypg as a terrorist group, linked to turkey‘s kurdish militants, the pkk, who have been fighting an insurgency here in turkey since the 1980s. but it is a dangerous operation, because the americans back the ypg in the fight against the islamic state group. now this operation puts turkey in direct confrontation with its nato ally, the us. american support of the ypg has consistently infuriated the turkish government. and the syrian regime has warned that they would shoot down any turkish jet and see an incursion by turkey as a violation of syria‘s sovereignty. plenty of perils as turkey launches the operation, and yet it has still gone ahead, determined to reduce territorial control of the ypg, fearing they were c

what are turkey‘ here? outsiders is hideously complicated. what are turkey' here? turkey is trying to reduce the territorial control of the syrian and kurdish forces, which are supported by a nato led coalition including the uk and many other countries. but this is only a small part of the area under control by the turkish forces and it is one place where the us is not cooperating with the kurdish led forces so it is very unlikely turkey will procure any use of strikes to attack other parts of northern syria. this does not make huge sense diplomatically because turkey cannot call up diplomatic support for a growing mission. it doesn‘t make much sense militarily because it is a hugely risky manoeuvre against a very disciplined fighting machine. it makes some trends for —— some sense it makes some trends for —— some sense for president erdogan. he is worried about a further challenge to him rising from within his own party in 2019 in the presidential election, so this might end up strengthening his position inside turkey but it is hugely risky militarily be

turkey sees them as terrorists, linked to the outlawed pkk, who have long fought an insurgency in turkey on behalf of the kurdish minority. and it wants them pushed back from the border town of afrin. turkey's president has his own troops fighting for their hero. and with elections next year, war rallies his support base. translation: this is a national struggle, and in this national struggle, we will crush anyone who stands against us. that's a message that resonates in border villages, where grape grower 0mer gazel and his friends watched the jets. translation: we felt proud and happy as they took off. everyone came out to bid them farewell. but the ypg has backing too. both in syria, where kurds rallied today, and beyond. translation: we condemn the attack on afrin, and we tell our brothers there that they are in our hearts, and that we are with them. because of the bravery of the ypg heroes, we will win the battle in afrin. the us armed them in the fight against the islamic state group, infuriating turkey. france too voiced support for them today, calling on turkey to pull back. but

the target, says turkey, ypg is linked to the pkk, the kurdish insurgents inside turkey. so some troops here are kurds, taking up arms against the kurdish militia. this commander denies he is betraying his people. translation: i am taking part in this offensive, not to fight the kurds but to save them from the terrorism of the ypg. they planted terror into the heads of our youth. the shelling intensified today as turkey's president vowed to neutralise every last terrorist. many of those involved are sent from here to the nearby front line. the terrain is bumpy. the threat is constant. any car, any passer—by, is scanned for explosives. we are patrolling the front line with turkish troops. the closest position of the ypg militia just a few hundred metres from the direction where they fire artillery. we just heard a couple of incoming mortars. the turkish military offensive is focused on clearing the villages around this area of the ypg. turkey says it wants to establish a buffer zone, pushing the militia 20 miles deep away from its border into northern syria. among local

turkey sees the ypg as a terrorist group, linksed to turkey's kurdish militants, the pkk, who have been fighting an insurgency here in turkey since the 1980s. but it is a dangerous operation, because the americans back the ypg in the fight against the islamic state group. now this operation puts turkey in direct confrontation with its nato ally, the us. american support of the ypg has consistently infuriated the turkish government. there are also russian military personnel on the ground, and the syrian regime has warned that they would shoot down any turkish jet and see an incursion by turkey as a violation of syria's sovereignty. plenty of perils as turkey launches the operation, and yet it has still gone ahead, determined to reclaim territorial control of the ypg, fearing they were consolidating territory on the other side of the border. this operation could bog turkey down in a potentially long and deadly military offensive. british tourists travelling to jamaica are being advised to stay in their resorts after a state of emergency was declared around monteego bay. there's been a sur

turkey says the target, ypg, islington outlawed kurdish insurgents in turkey. so some troops here are kurds, taking up some troops here are kurds, taking up arms against the kurdish militia. this commander denies he is betraying this people. translation: iam taking betraying this people. translation: i am taking part in this offensive night to fight kurds but to save them from the terrorism of the ypg. babe planned terror in the heads of al use. the shelling intensified today as turkey's president vowed to neutralise every last terrorist. many of those involved are sent from here to the nearby frontline. the terrain is bumpy and the threat is co nsta nt. terrain is bumpy and the threat is constant. any car, any passerby is scanned for explosives. patrolling the frontline now with turkish troops. the position of the act to make kurdish militia is in a few hundred metres in that direct —— direction. the turkish military offensive is now focused on clearing villages around this area of the ypg and turkey says it wants to establish a buffer zone, pushing the mi

it was because this is a right that has been given to turkey asa right that has been given to turkey as a self—defence within the un charter article 50 one. turkey is a nato ally. we expect our nato allies to support us in our fight against terrorism. many people would say you are invading another country, syria, unilaterally. we are not, we're eliminating terrorist threat. that's why we said we had no interest in any syrian territory. is turkey moving away from nato and the western alliance? sometimes our public feels that nato is not paying enough attention to turkey's legitimate security concerns. the syrian war has entered its seventh year. we have had many casualties on oui’ year. we have had many casualties on our borders. we fought against the daesh terrorists, and other terrorist organisations, and we've received little help from nato. our public keep asking us, where is nato? but that doesn't mean that we are running away from nato, or nature was running away from turkey. key players are making their feelings known. russia is indicating it's sympathetic to turkey on this

turkey is now trying to turn the page, but concerns remain. turkey's eu bid has stalled in recent years, leading president erdogan to admit to french president macron on friday that turkey's long wait for membership was exhausting. erdogan‘s government has also arrested tens of thousands of officials, academics and activists in the wake of a botched coup attempt in 2016. this drew criticism from rights activists, so perhaps it is not surprising that the german foreign minister's words urge caution. translation: we should not expect to have the same opinion of all subjects. there are differences of opinion. but i think it is in our best interests to continue our debate with openness and mutual respect, on an equal footing. for now, it seems, the sides have agreed to disagree. donald trump has again attacked the author of a controversial book that accused him of being unstable and incompetent. the us president told a news conference at camp david that he had been a "tremendous success", and that the book, fire and fury by michael wolff, was a

in greece and turkey it was also observed. here the patriarch of costantinopole throws the crucifix into the golden horn, in istanbul. swimmers then braved freezing temperatures to retrieve the cross from the water. and in bethlehem, orthodox christians have been attending midnight mass at the church of the nativity in the town. the palestinian president, mahmoud abbas, was among the congregation. and now for some history from the bbc witness team. we're going back to 1967 and to one of the great land and speed record holders of the 20th century. donald campbell was attempting his latest record at lake coniston in the north of england when things went badly wrong. witness has spoken to gina campbell about her father. my my dad was donald campbell, and in the 1930s, my dad was donald campbell, and in the 19305, 19405, 19505 and 19605, my father and my grandfather were both the most prolific land and water speed record ra kers both the most prolific land and water speed record rakers of the year. —— breakers. they were pione

a new front in the conflict in syria, but this time it's turkey opening fire on kurdish forces. facing up to his crimes — we hearfrom more gymnasts who survived sexual abuse by the former team usa doctor, larry nassar. hopes and fears for peru — pope francis speaks about the future for the future of the amazon and its people. hello. within the past half hour the us senate has voted down a spending bill and a government shutdown looks very likely. senators failed to back a stopgap motion which would temporarily keep government departments going for another four weeks. so now, unless a compromise can be found in the next hour, many parts of us government will shut down, although essential services including national security and air traffic control will continue. let's go live to washington now and our correspondent, david willis. david, time is pretty much up? yes. dramatic events unfolding here in the nation's capital right now. the vote has been projected in the senate. the republicans, who tabled that financial extension, failing to get the support they needed, the additio

this may support his position inside turkey but it is a military risk because turkey are not securing a huge success against even a demoralised isis in other battles. the headlines on bbc news: many government services in america have shut down after politicians failed to pass a spending bill. essential services including national security and air traffic control will continue. several gunmen attack the intercontinental hotel in kabul and seize hostages. —— and seized hostages. officials say several people were killed and at least six were wounded when security forces raided the building. as we've just been hearing, turkey launches an assault on kurdish fighters in northern syria, opening a new front in the conflict. sport now, and here's a full round up from the bbc sport centre. hello again, nicholas. many thanks. manchester united are expected to seal the signing of arsenal forward alexis sanchez with details emerging tonight of a deal which will see the armenian international henrikh mkhitaryan move in a straight swap deal. the bbc understands the united winger will move in th

mark lowen, bbc news, on the turkey—syrian border. germany has moved a step closer to forming a new government after members of the centre—left social democrats gave their backing to new coalition talks with angela merkel‘s conservatives. at a party meeting in bonn, the spd‘s martin schulz had urged many sceptical delegates to press ahead, describing a new coalition as the best way to combat hard right politics in europe. the general election four months ago left no party with an overall majority. our correspondent, jenny hill, is in berlin. jenny, the social democrats had a long hard think about this, didn't they? what do you think finally persuaded them to enter into formal coalition talks with angela merkel‘s party? you are right, this party is very divided and remains divided. a very divided and remains divided. a very slim majority in the vote today to allow the leadership to formally proceed with coalition talks. looking to form a partnership with angela merkel‘s conservatives. she herself this evening has welcomed the

in greece and turkey it was also observed. here the patriarch of costantinopole throws the crucifix into the golden horn, in istanbul. swimmers then braved freezing temperatures to retrieve the cross from the water. and in bethlehem, orthodox christians have been attending midnight mass at the church of the nativity in the town. the palestinian president, mahmoud abbas, was among the congregation. meanwhile, egyptian coptic christians have celebrated the start of their christmas. president sisi joined the head of the church pope tawadros ii as he led midnight mass, at a cathedral east of cairo. worshippers welcomed sisi with cheers. police have increased security at the country's churches after fears of possible attacks. a gunman killed at least 11 people last week in attacks on a coptic church and a christian—owned shop near cairo. it was the latest in several attacks on the minority in recent years, including bombings last easter. and now for some history from the bbc witness team. we're going back to 1967 and to one of th

these are some of those free syrian army fighters moving through turkey to join the battle. just like the turkish government, they are opposed to the kurdish ypg setting up enclaves inside syria. some of the fsa factions have already joined the fighting against them. turkey sees a huge threat in northern syria because of the kurdish forces, and these forces are supported by a us—led international coalition which includes britain and some european countries. they see a threat in that region. this is what they are fighting over — the area around afrin. the ypg has been expecting an attack for almost two years and they are well prepared, but turkey has air power and artillery on its side and it's pounding the kurdish positions. this battle pits two american allies, the ypg and turkey, against each other, and trapped in the kurdish enclave, more than 1 million people waiting for peace. bill hayton, bbc news. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news: thousands of anti—government protesters have held rallies in cities across romania. they're angered at

america is warning turkey to stay out. from inside syria, our chief international correspondent lyse doucet reports. warning shots across the border. the target isn't really syria, it's the kurdish militia now controlling the land all too close to turkey. tanks and troops are also moving into position, the de facto start of a ground invasion. that's what turkey's defence minister calls this. its sights are set on afrin. syria's kurds have been in charge for the last five years. they are vowing to keep it. we will fight to the last drop of blood, they declare. we will stand with afrin. turkey calls them terrorists, linked to its main enemy at home, the turkish kurds in the pkk. all this is opening up another major crisis inside syria's already tangled war. just to the south, the syrian army is pushing ahead with its own offensive to retake ground held by hardline islamists. as fighting intensifies, so too the humanitarian crisis. 200,000 people are now on the run, heading north, adding to pressure on turkey's border. these

in turkey since the 1980s. the airstrikes were backed by turkish artillery from the border, tanks in place, ready to roll in. turkey‘s aim is to stop the kurds extending their territorial control in northern syria. standing side—by—side with turkey, syrian rebel fighters leading the ground offensive for now. the incursion is called operation olive branch, though it‘s anything but peaceful. we will wipe out this corridor of step—by—step, starting from the west. this operation will be followed by another. since the promises made have not been kept so far nobody can have a say when we do what is necessary. but turkey is up against kurdish military might. they‘ve been backed by the us in the war against islamic state, which has incensed the turkish government. an estimated half a million people have been killed in syria‘s war. the fear is with this new offensive, that number could rise again. mark lowen, bbc news, on the turkey—syria border. the headlines on bbc news: afghan security forces regain

a new front in the conflict in syria, but this time it's turkey opening fire on kurdish forces. facing up to his crimes — we hearfrom more gymnasts who survived sexual abuse by the former team usa doctor larry nassar. also in the programme, hold on tight! we take a look at 1000km/h tube ride. hello. welcome to the programme. last—ditch efforts are being made in the us senate to prevent a shutdown of the government. existing funding expires at midnight local time. after holding a private meeting with president trump at the white house, the leader of the democrats in the senate, chuck schumer, said there had been some progress in averting the shutdown. sarah corker reports. it is going down to the wire. the was government stance on the brink ofa was government stance on the brink of a shutdown for the first time since 2013. with democrats and republicans fighting bitterly over a funding dealforfederal institutions. the senate is due to vote on it in the next hour. at the centre of all of this, a row of immigration, the so—called dreamers. democrats have demanded the bill inc

mark lohan, bbc news, on the turkey— syrian border. thousands of people are expected to turn out in las vegas today for the main american rally on a weekend of women's marches, one year on from those that took place as president trump was inaugurated. demonstrations have already been held in london, where hundreds gathered outside downing street, and in paris. the message at both — time is up on sexual harassment and abuse. let's join our correspondent rajini vaidyanathan in las vegas. what are you expecting their rajini? well, if last year it was all about protesting the fact that donald trump had just taken office, this year it is about protesting his policies in his first year. many women say they are concerned about his agenda on issues like immigration, health care and reproductive rights, which they say adversely impacts are women. others say that in the wake of the metoo movement they want changes, many say they are survivors of sexual harassment and violence. others are fighting for equality in the workplace and equal pay. if

the un security council is due to discuss the worsening crisis in syria, with turkey opening up a new front against kurdish militia in the north of the country. the militia, the ypg, are backed by the united states but viewed by turkey as a terrorist organisation. on sunday, turkish troops crossed the border over the border,

in turkey since the 1980s. the airstrikes were backed by turkish artillery from the border, tanks in place, ready to roll in. turkey's aim is to stop the kurds extending their territorial control in northern syria. standing side—by—side with turkey, syrian rebel fighters leading the ground offensive for now. the incursion is called 0peration olive branch, but it is anything but peaceful. turkey is up against kurdish military might. they have been backed by the us in the war against islamic state, which has incensed the turkish government. an estimated half a million people have been killed in syria's war. the theory is with this new offensive, that number could rise again. mark lowen, bbc news, on the turkey—syria border. a fresh attempt will be made to break the deadlock that led to shutdown of part of the american government. a fresh vote in the senate is expected tomorrow. hundreds of thousands of government workers face the prospect of unpaid leave if it continues. democrats say president trump block

a new front in the conflict in syria, but this time it's turkey opening fire on kurdish forces. facing up to his crimes — we hearfrom more gymnasts who survived sexual abuse by the former team usa doctor, larry nassar. hopes and fears for peru — pope francis speaks about the future for the future of the amazon and its people. also in the programme, hold on tight! we take a look at the 1000km/h tube ride. hello. welcome to the programme. president trump has warned that hopes are fading that congress would agree a deal to pass a temporary budget and avert a government shutdown. the us senate is due to vote this hour. he says it is not looking good for a great military or security on the very dangerous southern border. the democrats want a shutdown in order to help diminish the great success of the tax cut and what they are doing for our booming economy. the senate is due to vote this power. existing funding expires at midnight local time. that's just two hours away. let's get the latest from our correspondent david willis in washington. david, president trump sounding rather l

turkey is up is anything but peaceful. turkey is up against kurdish military might. they have been backed by the us in the war against islamic state which hasincensed the war against islamic state which has incensed the turkish government. an estimated half a million have been killed in syria's war. the theory is with this new offensive, that number could rise again. bbc news, on the turkey syria border. a fresh attempt will be made to break the deadlock that has led to the shutdown of parts of the us government. a fresh vote is due to take place in the senate tomorrow. hundreds of thousands of american government workers face the prospect of unpaid leave if the stand off continues. democrats say donald trump blocked a compromise deal — the claim has been denied by the white house. theresa may has said she will crack down on company executives. writing in the observer, she described the practice and is an unacceptable abuse that will be ended. people with hidden disabilities in england could soon be entitled to blue badge permits for free parking. the department fo

europe has a tendency, let's leave them in turkey, which is not a solution. david is right in detecting a yearning for new leadership. why are these things becoming so popular? i am a bit worried about the renaissance of nationalism. you have to remember the kind of era in which he became a leader, it made him look strong. he was a fierce antagonist. like germany at the time. do we want another churchill? do we want the re—emergence of that sort of power struggle that he faced? so, no. it is more difficult for a modern leader to burnish a profile because the world is so much in chaos. and so unpredictable. he would not have known how to deal with these other problems we have been discussing here for weeks and weeks. so i hedge my bets about new leadership. in the region, we have very interesting new leadership, especially as mark mentioned. it is very interesting to see how they see this need to own what is going on in the region. yes. there is a good topic for another dateline for sure. do we need another churchill? thank you to all of you. we're back next

i asked a guest earlier what turkey hopes to achieve. they're trying to reduce the control of the kurdish forces, who have been supported by the us and uk coalition. but afrin is just the us and uk coalition. but afrin isjust a small area the us and uk coalition. but afrin is just a small area controlled by the kurds and its one area that the united states is not working with them. it is not like that turkey will attack other parts of syria. this part doesn't make a lot of sense diplomatic, they cannot secure support for a ground operation and it doesn't make much sense militarily against a very disciplined and effective fighting machine. it some senses for president erdogan for domestic politics, because he is allied with far right groups and he is worried about a further challenge from within his own party in 2019 for the presidential elections. this might end up strengthening the president's position inside turkey, but it is very risky, because we have seen turkey not securing huge success in other battles in syria even against a demo