Turkish warplanes have bombed parts of north-eastern Syria at the start of an offensive which could lead to conflict with Kurdish-led allies of the US.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the operation was to create a “safe zone” cleared of Kurdish militias which will also house Syrian refugees.
According to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), civilian areas came under attack from Turkish planes.
Turkish ground forces have also been massing on the border.
The offensive was launched just days after President Donald Trump controversially withdrew US troops from northern Syria, a decision announced after a phone call with Mr Erdogan that sparked widespread criticism at home and abroad.
…….
- Discussion
-
Turkish troops enter northern Syria, says President Erdogan, setting up a potential clash with Kurdish-led forces https://t.co/d7AAd579iO
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 9, 2019
Kurdish Christians (and others among the brave Kurds) have stood up for the United States and for freedom and human dignity against ISIS terrorism and the bloodthirsty Assad regime. What they are now facing from Erdogan’s authoritarian Turkey is horrifying beyond words. https://t.co/4tXW5UJ8dF
— Russell Moore (@drmoore) October 9, 2019
Syrian Kurds under bombardment from Turkish jets urgently request air support from U.S. and “No fly zone” to protect civilians: SDF statement
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) October 9, 2019
“I feel like a Kurd today,” former Netanyahu adviser tells @Halbfinger. In Israel, Trump's decision to leave the Kurds to fend for themselves against Turkey has many wondering if he might abandon them too. https://t.co/ovOhR5lgYT
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) October 9, 2019
You didn’t leave Syria. You just moved a small number of troops so the Turks could slaughter our allies. https://t.co/2KAFF4kqbc
— David French (@DavidAFrench) October 9, 2019
Kurds of the SDF – our former reliable partners in the fight against ISIS- are being attacked by a NATO ally, Turkey. The repercussions for the US and NATO will be long-lasting and detrimental to security for Europe and the world.
— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) October 9, 2019
This is because of a phone call to the President of the United States, who had no idea what he was doing or why. https://t.co/AMpe7LDP3g
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) October 9, 2019
Make ISIS Great Again
Every single Trump enabler owns it.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) October 9, 2019
Your agony is delicious.
you see the threat but you lack the courage to call out the problem by his name. You have to break with him, and you have to take the pain, because that's your punishment. https://t.co/rTAQry2aFC
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) October 9, 2019
#FLASH – #SDF halts its operations against #ISIS.
This means the 10,000 ISIS prisoners they were holding are scurrying around free as birds.
Surprise!! <Jazz hands>
— JΞSŦΞR ✪ ΔCŦUΔL³³º¹ (@th3j35t3r) October 9, 2019
One of the darkest days of the trump presidency. Such a tragedy. The one thing I am struggling with is: why?
No political or strategic advantage. What did Erdogan offer? Is it for the benefit of the US or Trump? https://t.co/3k6k84Vk8a
— David Abroms (@DavidAbroms) October 9, 2019
Wait.
WAIT.
Are you suggesting that the FSB might not exactly be a reliable CT partner for Western intel and that Mosocw ruthlessly exploits and manipulates jihadists to further Kremlin interests?
UNPOSSIBLE, I tell you!https://t.co/KXDad7C7QC
— John Schindler (@20committee) October 9, 2019
…And finally there is the scary issue of the thousands of ISIS detainees and families, who may be breaking out of camps and prisons after Turkish attack–with NO American back-up plan. This is a major disaster coming at us because of Trump's decisions. Hours left to stop it…
— David Ignatius (@IgnatiusPost) October 9, 2019
Let's not jump to conclusions, maybe it was just a coincidencehttps://t.co/oYLAptB29u
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) October 9, 2019
War breaking out with Turkey invading Syria to go after the Kurds, where Iran, Iraq, and Russia are nearby as our NATO ally destroys our friends – and the American president is basically AWOL staring at Fox and tweeting himself into an impeachment. What could go wrong? #Fallout5 https://t.co/ayNbhm0cqd
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) October 9, 2019
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) October 9, 2019
Jesus. https://t.co/8xrWcmZZaH
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) October 9, 2019
Sure, everything's easy if you're a complete ignoramus who has no idea how anything works. https://t.co/I59ImdnGCg
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) October 9, 2019
May God be with our allies the Kurdish fighters and Kurdish civilians. What we have done to them is nothing short of Godless. Abandoned our allies to be slaughtered. This is a true stain in American history we will be unable to explain to future generations.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) October 9, 2019
Never forget, 11,000 Kurds gave their lives fighting like hell. Without their sacrifice our military operation against ISIS would have cost far more American lives. We’re making it more likely that the next fight will depend on American ground forces. https://t.co/JmJYqpiiue
— David French (@DavidAFrench) October 9, 2019
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.