Turkey has renewed threats to launch another ground offensive in northeast Syria.

Speaking to reporters on Jan. 14, Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said a new operation against the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was possible “any time.” Turkey has mounted three major attacks against the Kurdish-led force since 2016 on the grounds that it is closely linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants that are at war with Turkey. Turkey wants to establish a “security belt” 30 kilometers (18 miles) deep along its 900-kilometer (560-mile) border with Syria.

In November, Ankara appeared to be on the cusp of making good on its vows as Turkish fighter jets and drones rained bombs on military targets and civilian infrastructure in the Kurdish-majority region called “Rojava” or Western Kurdistan. Most ominously, Turkish drones hit a joint US-SDF security facility for the first time as Turkey railed against Washington’s partnership with “terrorists.” The SDF said it was pausing operations conducted together with the US-led coalition against the Islamic State, prompting sterner warnings from US officials to Ankara not to undertake any actions that would further destabilize the region.

However, it was Russia’s opposition that prevented Turkey from unleashing its forces. Russia controls the skies over much of the areas Turkey has set it sights on including Kobani, Manbij and Tell Rifaat. Without Moscow's blessing, Turkey cannot provide air support for its troops.