Two days ago, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a series of artillery attacks on areas on the western outskirts of Aleppo, traditionally controlled by Syrian government forces and opposition groups. Local sources reported heavy clashes and damage to infrastructure, leading to the evacuation of civilians. The involvement of Syrian National Army (SNA) factions in the attack has drawn attention to Turkey’s role in facilitating cooperation between these previously rival groups.
A detailed report by the Rojava Information Centre describes the SNA, which recently attacked Aleppo, as a proxy force of Turkey, highlighting its operational, financial and political dependence on Ankara. The report claims that the SNA has evolved from a loose coalition of opposition fighters into a tool for Turkey’s military and political agenda in Syria and beyond.
The report traces the origins of the SNA and its evolution under Turkish control since its establishment in 2017. It argues that Turkey has moulded the SNA into a cohesive force that serves its strategic interests. Several factors contribute to this assessment:
Initially composed of Turkmen militias and remnants of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the SNA was formed to consolidate Turkey’s influence in northern Syria. Turkey integrated the various militias into a hierarchical structure divided into legions and brigades, creating the appearance of a professional army. However, the report highlights that the SNA’s organisation is primarily designed to legitimise its proxy role.
Strategic objectives behind proxy use
Turkey’s support for the SNA is in line with its broader geopolitical ambitions in Syria. The report identifies several key objectives:
Countering Kurdish influence:
A key objective is to undermine the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Kurdish autonomy in northern Syria. By deploying the SNA, Turkey maintains a buffer zone against groups it sees as linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Territorial control and demographic engineering:
The SNA has facilitated Turkey’s control over areas such as Afrin and the Euphrates Shield. These regions have experienced widespread demographic changes, with reports of forced displacement and resettlement of refugees in line with Turkish interests.
Regional power projection:
By using the SNA in conflicts such as Libya and Karabakh, Turkey has extended its influence beyond Syria. The use of Syrian mercenaries allows Ankara to engage in foreign conflicts with minimal political and military risks.
Turkey’s strategic objectives include countering Kurdish influence, maintaining control over critical border regions and asserting its presence in regional conflicts. The report highlights that the SNA’s actions have often resulted in widespread human rights violations, including forced displacement, extrajudicial killings and looting. These abuses have drawn international criticism, but Turkey has largely escaped accountability by presenting the SNA as an independent entity.
Experts argue that the SNA’s reliance on Turkish funding and command exemplifies Ankara’s approach of using proxy forces for geopolitical gain. This strategy allows Turkey to exert influence while reducing the risks associated with direct military involvement. However, it also exacerbates instability in the affected regions and prolongs conflicts. Critics argue that the SNA’s actions, particularly in areas such as Afrin, contradict Turkey’s claims to promote stability and security.
The report concludes that the future of the SNA is inextricably linked to Turkey’s regional ambitions and President Erdoğan’s domestic agenda. As tensions escalate following the Aleppo attack, the SNA’s role is likely to come under increased scrutiny. Its operations could further complicate efforts to stabilise Syria and challenge Turkey’s relations with international actors.
