Erdogan claims US ‘supports terrorism’ in Syria’s north

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – After the US warned Turkey of launching a ground military operation in northern Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed on Saturday that the US “supports terrorism” in Syria, hinting at Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

This came in his speech in Urfa Province, southern Turkey, on Turkish-Syrian border.

He renewed his charges against the SDF of attacking the Turkish border.

Erdogan also renewed his threats saying, “We will definitely complete the 30 kilometer deep security strip that we are building along our southern border”.

On December 3, the US House of Representatives called on Erdogan to refrain from any action which would undermine the ability of Global Coalition to Defeat Islamic State Organization (ISIS).

Since November 20, 2022, Turkish air force has launched intense airstrikes on all Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES)-held areas on Syrian-Turkish border in addition to bombarding areas which are more than 40 km away from the border such as the Global Coalition military base, Hawl Camp in Hasakah and the village of Makman in the northern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.

On December 1, Turkish Minister of National Defense, Hulusi Akar, said, “The Americans asked us to re-examine a possible military operation against terrorism in northern Syria.”

On the same day, the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, expressed, in a phone call with Akar, the Department’s “strong opposition” to a new Turkish operation in Syria.

Reporting by Fansa Temmo