The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has released a report on the situation in the Turkish-controlled areas of Syria, which it has occupied from 2016 to 2019 in a series of military operations.

Pointing out that the reason behind Turkey occupation of areas in Syria, such as Sri Kani and Gri Spi, was due to the withdrawal of US forces and leaving the Kurds alone, the think tank warned that Turkey had changed the nature of Syria's border and has connected them to its southern provinces politically, economically and socially.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace notes that, for example, each local council in Turkish-controlled northern Syria has a representative from Turkey's neighboring provinces. Turkey has also opened 146 schools in the education sector that have accepted more than 15,000 students in the Sari Kani and Gri Spi regions, and a Turkish university has signed a memorandum of understanding to establish schools in these regions. Also, Syrian students who successfully pass the Turkish language exam will receive scholarships in some Turkish universities. In addition, some Turkish relief organizations are actively present in these areas.

According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the border between Turkish-controlled areas in Syria and areas controlled by Syrian Kurdish forces has been closed, leading to smuggling increase.

The think tank believes that Turkey does not want to annex these Syrian areas to its territory, but wants to continue to have a lot of influence in the areas.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has described Turkey's recent experience in capturing border areas and restricting its Kurds as a success experience, and has warned that Turkey may want to repeat such an experience in the last Syrian Kurdish-controlled areas east of the Euphrates.

Reporter’s code: 50101