Small Wars Journal

Erdogan: Positive Answers in Call with Trump, But Says Turkey Could Act Against U.S.-Backed Syrian Kurds ‘Anytime’

Tue, 12/18/2018 - 9:08am

Erdogan: Positive Answers in Call with Trump, But Says Turkey Could Act Against U.S.-Backed Syrian Kurds ‘Anytime’ – Associated Press

Turkey’s leader said Monday he received “positive answers” from President Donald Trump on the situation in northeastern Syria, where Turkey has threatened to launch a new operation against American-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters.

Turkey has vowed to launch a new offensive against the People’s Protection Units, or YPG, which is the main component of a U.S.-allied force that drove Islamic State militants out of much of eastern Syria. U.S. troops are based in the area, in part to reduce tensions.

Turkey views the YPG as a terrorist group because of its links to the Kurdish insurgency within its territory. Ankara views Washington's support as empowering of the Kurdish militia, which is seeking an autonomous region in northern Syria.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not elaborate on his conversation with Trump. The two leaders spoke by phone Friday…

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