Members of the Islamic State group and Kurdish militants who attempt to infiltrate the safe-zone will instantly be “neutralized by each Turkish and US army forces“, the assertion stated.
Advertisement
The missions follow Turkey’s announcement last month that it would open its bases to coalition air operations against the group in Syria and Iraq.
“We could not risk having U.S. forces hit by Turkish bombs”. “Turkey wanted to move against the PKK, but it needed a hook”. The party is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and the EU.
Another Reuters report says that Turkey and Iran were instrumental in brokering a 48-hour ceasefire, illustrating the clout that both countries have on the ground in Syria.
Prominent Kurdish Turks have questioned the use of the “zone” as a method of excluding Kurdish forces from the fight against ISIS.
U.S. Central Command confirmed to Anadolu Agency that the strikes had taken place Wednesday but did not provide additional details.
More broadly, the escalation is important for bringing Turkey more directly in the conflict, Harmer said. “What often gets lost in discussions of U.S.-Turkey cooperation against ISIL is how much we’ve achieved together in a relatively short period of time”.
His statements come after the U.S. State Department denied there was an agreement between Washington and Ankara to great a “safe zone” in northern Syria. “Strikes were conducted”, Pentagon spokeswoman Commander Elissa Smith said, using an alternate name for the terror group. “Our folks are very eager to put it to the test”.
The first manned U.S. air strikes against ISIS started on Wednesday.
The coalition that is led by the supreme power of the world might wash away the IS.
“No way we were giving that up”, the source said.
Turkey, which has recently been attacked by two of its own citizens, has made close to 2,000 arrests.
“We in the Nusra front do not see it as legitimate to enter this alliance against IS”, the group said in a statement, “as it is not based on a strategic choice undertaken by the opposition groups, but stems from Turkey’s national and security interests”.
In new violence overnight, a Turkish soldier was killed in a gun attack on a military post in Sirnak, also blamed on the PKK.
Advertisement
Russian Federation is a key Assad ally and wants him being involved in efforts to fight the Islamic State. “Only this week, 23 foreigners suspected of trying to join ISIS in Syria were caught” near the border.
