Pentagon concerned about military escalation in northern Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The US Department of Defense said on Tuesday they were concerned about Turkish military escalation in northern Syria.
“A ground invasion would severely jeopardize the hard-fought gains that the world has achieved against ISIS, and would destabilize the region,” said Press Secretary for the US Department of Defense Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.
Since November 20, 2022, Turkish air force has launched intense airstrikes on all 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 and Hawl Camp in Hasakah and the village of Makman in the northern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.
Ryder added, they urged “restraint amidst the tensions in this region.”
He pointed out that they had reduced the number of partnered patrols with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
“Right now the D-ISIS mission does continue.”
On November 23, the SDF announced suspending its mission against ISIS due to the latest Turkish escalation in the SDF-held areas.
The Pentagon press secretary expressed the US deep concern about the escalating actions by Turkey in northern Syria.
He affirmed that they continue to support the SDF in their fight against ISIS.