Iraq sends reinforcements to its borders as a Turkish military operation gets closer

Shafaq News/ Iraqi military sources revealed on Wednesday that Iraqi military reinforcements would be sent to the border with Syria as a Turkish military operation is about to start.

The sources told Shafaq News that "military reinforcements reached the Iraqi-Syrian border with the launch of a Turkish military operation in Syria."

"The reinforcements were sent to respond to any emergency that might occur due to a Turkish military operation in Syria, without giving further details,” the source added.

The military councils in the al-Jazerra region called on human rights organizations, democratic institutions, the European Union and the United Nations to "take a stand against Turkish attacks."

The world is cautiously watching developments north of Syria, where Turkey has vowed to launch a military operation "within 24 hours," according to Turkish officials, despite US warnings of the consequences of what would happen to Ankara if it took such a step.

Turkey had reinforced the impression that an attack on the YPG was imminent, after the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that "all preparations have been completed to launch an operation," according to France Press Agency.

"The Turkish army with the Free Syrian Army will soon cross the Turkish-Syrian border. The YPG has two options: they can defect or prevent them from disrupting our efforts against ISIS," Fakhruddin Alton, director of communications at the Turkish presidency, said in a tweet.

Turkey has sent new armored vehicles to its border with Syria on Tuesday, and an AFP journalist saw a convoy near Agca Castle town in the Turkish province of Urfa.

The official Anatolia news agency confirmed the transfer of construction equipment within the convoy bound for the border to strengthen military units.