US urges Turkey to re-evaluate military operation into NE Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Thursday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the United States called on Turkey to re-evaluate any military operation into northern Syria.
“The U.S. asked us to re-evaluate. We conveyed to them our sensitivities and thoughts, and asked them to keep their promises. We emphasized that they should understand us,” Akar told reporters.
A day earlier, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Turkish counterpart, via phone call, of his “strong opposition” to the new Turkish military operation in Syria and expressed concern about the escalating situation in the country.
Austin reiterated Washington’s concern “over escalating action in northern Syria and Turkey, including recent airstrikes, some of which directly threatened the safety of US personnel who are working with local partners in Syria to defeat ISIS,” according to a readout published by the Pentagon chief’ press office.
Akar, for his part, called on Washington to deliver on its words regarding distancing the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from its southern borders.
Today, Mazloum Abdi, SDF’s Commander in Chief, in an interview with North Press, said they were committed to the 2019 ceasefire agreements, which stipulates the deployment of Syrian government forces to the border with Turkey. However, Abdi noted the Turkish party is not and seeks to launch a new military operation into Syria with no sound reasons.