US defense to discuss ceasefire arrangements with SDF, Turkey
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Wednesday, the US Department of Defense (DOD) expressed deep concern over escalation occurring in northern Syria, Iraq and Turkey and sent solaces to families of civilian victims in both Syria and Turkey.
Pentagon Press Secretary, Brig Gen Patrick Ryder, stressed in a statement the US’ commitment to continue discussing with Turkey and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) “maintaining ceasefire arrangements.”
Turkey continues targeting different areas in both north and northeast Syria under the pretext of securing its national security, hitting infrastructures via warplanes, drones and artillery, leaving civilian and military personnel casualties.
This escalation curbs the US-led Global Coalition’s “Years-long progress to degrade and defeat ISIS,” the statement read
Ryder added that the Turkish airstrikes on areas in north and northeastern Syria “threatened the safety of U.S. personnel” working with the SDF to defeat ISIS and “maintain custody of more than ten thousand ISIS detainees.”
The DOD in the statement necessitated an “immediate de-escalation…maintain focus on the defeat-ISIS mission and ensure the safety and security of personnel on the ground.”
Ryder also voiced concern over “the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure.”