ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States on Tuesday called for an urgent de-escalation in northern Syria amid renewed Turkish threats of a looming invasion southward.
"We believe it is crucial for all sides to maintain and respect ceasefire zones to enhance stability in Syria and work towards a political solution in the conflict," US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in response to Rudaw's Roj Elli Zalla during a daily press briefing.
The threat of a Turkish invasion into northern Syria has recently gained momentum, with Ankara targeting key leaders of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and launching a spate of drone attacks on areas it seeks to seize control of Manbij and Tal Rifaat.
The SDF on Saturday confirmed the death of one of its commanders and two other fighters who were targeted by a Turkish drone a day before. General Commander Mazloum Abdi vowed to avenge their deaths while US Central Command offered its condolences to the families of the dead.
Asked about the prospect of a no-fly zone in northern Syria, Price said "we continue to have these discussions with key partners and allies" including Turkey, adding that the US has "deep concerns" that renewed military activity in the region could "set back the significant gains the coalition has made against Daesh [Arabic acronym for Islamic State] in recent years."
Price further warned of the humanitarian implications an offensive could have on the region.
Besides targeting SDF fighters, Ankara's increased drone attacks have also killed Syrian army fighters and struck their bases.
Turkey says its new offensive into northern Syria is aimed at expelling Kurdish fighters of the People's Protection Units (YPG), the backbone of the SDF and a force that Ankara considers to be the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Both the YPG and the PKK are designated as terrorist organizations by Turkey.
On Wednesday, Turkey said it had killed 25 YPG fighters in northern Syria while also announcing the death of two of its soldiers.
A recent trilateral summit in Tehran by Iran, Turkey, and Russia did not give Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the green light to carry out an offensive, with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling Ankara's planned offensive "detrimental" to both Syria and Turkey and saying it "will not achieve the expected political results from the Syrian government."
