Turkey seems to be preparing for a long-term stay in northern Syria

It has been nearly a month since Turkey and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) launched the Euphrates' Shield Operation, which is considered a successful military move given the results so far. 

The first two phases of the operation were considered relatively easy, as a majority of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants in towns like Jarabulus and al-Rai had already withdrawn. As a result, the 98-kilometer strip of the border between the Mare-Jarabulus line was cleared of ISIL jihadists while the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the FSA was able to control an area of 900 square kilometers. However, ISIL is still actively fighting in regions around al-Rai and could re-capture some villages. After Aug. 24, Turkey lost two tanks and five troops in clashes with ISIL jihadists in the first two phases of the cross-border operation. 

As was clear from the beginning of the operation, the Turkish government has no intention of stopping its military offensive at this point. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan explicitly announced that Ankara's target is to go further south in Syria until it makes its border fully safe. 

Erdoğan also defined Turkey's next target as part of the third phase of the operation: Clearing ISIL from al-Bab. In addition, he revealed that Turkey's operation would lead to the creation of a 5,000-square kilometer safe zone. There are reports that the Turkish army has already started preparations for expanding its influence in the region. 

At present it seems that Ankara has three main objectives: 

1. As stated at the outset, Turkey needs to fully seal its border to ISIL crossings in both directions. This objective seems to have been realized in the first two phases. The presence of ISIL militants just over the...