“Nicholas Granger affirmed the continued support for sustainable projects in the region, and their support for economic projects in general, in addition to their support for strengthening the security situation and maintaining security and stability in northern and eastern Syria,” read a statement from the Kurdish administration following the meeting.
Turkey’s “continued threats” to launch another military operation and its impact on the security and economy of the area were also discussed.
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 drones and airstrikes targeting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (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 in December that a ground operation would take place “soon.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Al Arabiya’s Nadia Bilbassy on Sunday that a military incursion in Syria is not “in anyone’s interests” as it jeopardizes the efforts made against the Islamic State (ISIS).
Turkey “has legitimate security interests. There’s no disputing that. But those interests can be dealt with effectively without, I think, a military intervention,” said Blinken.
