Syria
A Turkish military convoy drives in Idlib province, northwestern Syria on February 22, 2020. Photo: AP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey’s military incursion in northern Syria puts the mission to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) at risk, a spokesperson for the US Central Command (CENTCOM) told Rudaw on Thursday, noting that Washington is not involved in holding talks with Ankara, as that is “the responsibility of European Command.”
Turkey launched its latest aerial campaign dubbed Operation Claw-Sword targeting Kurdish positions in northern Syria and the Kurdistan Region on November 20. The operation has led to a barrage of dozens of drones and airstrikes targeting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
“ISIS remains a regional threat and any Turkish incursion places the mission to defeat ISIS at risk,” CENTCOM Spokesman Joe Buccino told Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda, stressing that “talks with Turkish partners are the responsibility of European Command, so we are not involved in that.”
Buccino also stated that they have “fully” resumed patrols with the SDf, which was briefly paused due to the Turkish offensive.
Kurds in Syria have been Washington’s main allies on the ground in the fight against ISIS since the group seized control of swathes of land in Syria and Iraq in 2014. The US has provided ammunition and military support to the SDF.
The latest Turkish incursion in northern Syria presents a danger to US personnel as they maintain a presence in the proximity of the area. US officials have repeatedly called for de-escalation as it would be detrimental to the efforts underway to combat the terror group.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week that a ground operation would take place “soon.”
Turkey launched its latest aerial campaign dubbed Operation Claw-Sword targeting Kurdish positions in northern Syria and the Kurdistan Region on November 20. The operation has led to a barrage of dozens of drones and airstrikes targeting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
“ISIS remains a regional threat and any Turkish incursion places the mission to defeat ISIS at risk,” CENTCOM Spokesman Joe Buccino told Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda, stressing that “talks with Turkish partners are the responsibility of European Command, so we are not involved in that.”
Buccino also stated that they have “fully” resumed patrols with the SDf, which was briefly paused due to the Turkish offensive.
Kurds in Syria have been Washington’s main allies on the ground in the fight against ISIS since the group seized control of swathes of land in Syria and Iraq in 2014. The US has provided ammunition and military support to the SDF.
The latest Turkish incursion in northern Syria presents a danger to US personnel as they maintain a presence in the proximity of the area. US officials have repeatedly called for de-escalation as it would be detrimental to the efforts underway to combat the terror group.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week that a ground operation would take place “soon.”
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