No doubt that persons with a remote interest in international politics have captured that Turkey started a military operation in Northern Syria two days ago on January 19, codename "Operation Olive Branch".
It came hot on the heels of the US's decision to start building a 30.000 strong "border security force"; a decision it has since pulled back from. It led to Turkey aggressively reacting to the news. Not only in words, but in deeds as tanks are rolling in to Syrian territory.
Observers might think that Russia would not allow this to happen and would vehemently disapprove. It does not and has only appealed on both Turkey as the Turkish rebels to "show restraint". There's also no indication Assad's forces, the SAA, are mobilized towards their Northern border.
What gives?
Planet News believes Erdogan's decision is in the interest of Syria. Should the country itself attack the Kurdish positions which are backed by the US; this intervention might not be appreciated by the Americans. The same goes for Russia. Planet News thinks that both Assad and Putin are not any more vocal as they eye restoring Syria to its complete pre-war borders. If Turkey is able to clean up the Kurdish positions, both Syria and Russia avoid provoking the US.
As for now, we do not have back-up but it might be an important thing to remember to #makeupyourownmind.