Biden pushed back “forcefully” against Turkish incursion in Syria – US Senator
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – US Senator Chris Van Hollen said on Tuesday that Biden has “pushed back quietly but forcefully” to block a Turkish military operation into northern Syria.
Van Hollen, whose remarks were made during an interview with Al-Monitor in Washington DC, said the Congress could even take a harder stance than that of the US President should Erdogan materialize his threats.
On November 20, Turkey launched a ruthless air campaign against many areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria, destroying vital infrastructure and killing civilians.
The attacks came after a bombing in Istanbul on November 13 that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed on the SDF which categorically denied any involvement. Following the operation, Erdogan pledged to mount a cross-border incursion but his threats were met with US and Russian rejection.
The senator also said that “there have to be consequences in terms of joint U.S.-European action,” in case of any military operation.
As Turkish elections approach, due in May 14, Erdogan has been trying to boost his popular support with all possible means in light of inflation and collapse of Turkish Lira.
“I believe that Erdogan has taken Turkey down a very bad, and we’re also witnessing this as we get toward the elections that he called for mid-May,” Van Hollen said.