Who’s who in Turkish-U.S. safe zone deal?

Free Syrian Army (FSA) Moderate rebel group fighting Islamic State (IS) northeast of Aleppo.  Supported by U.S. and Turkey

Army of Conquest: Islamist coalition including al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra and extremist groups Ahrar al-Sham and Jund al-Aqsa. Fighting IS to west of Aleppo from HQ in Idlib. Turkey giving logistical and intelligence support
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SYRIA Incirlik

TURKEY

IRAQ

SAUDI ARABIA

IRAN

Kurdish inhabited areas

200km 125 miles
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People’s Protection Unit (YPG) Syria’s Kurdish militia has pushed IS out of area east of planned safe zone with help of U.S.-led air strikes. YPG, which is affiliated with PKK, is opposed by Turkey

Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Militant organization has waged decades-long insurgency in Turkey and maintains bases in northern Iraq. Turkey is bombing PKK positions in Iraq but says military operations in Syria are targeting only IS and not Kurdish forces

Kurdish Regional Government (KRG): Turkey supports U.S.-backed administration in northern Iraq led by President Massoud Barzani

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Selahattin Demirtas, chairman of pro-Kurdish party in Turkish parliament, says “safe zone” is attempt by Ankara to stop Kurds creating autonomous state
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Turkey and U.S. working together to create “safe zone” in Syria intended to be cleared of IS militants

TURKEY Afrin Azaz Idlib Aleppo Al Bab Manbij Jarabulus Kobane

Suruc, Jul 20: Suspected IS suicide bomber kills 32

Tal Abyad Ain Issa Raqqa

SYRIA

AREAS OF CONTROL*

Syrian regime

Islamic State group (IS)

Kurdish (YPG)

Jabhat al-Nusra

Other rebel groups

20km 12 miles
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Sources: Institute for the Study of War, Stratfor  *As of Jul 24

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