U.S.-backed Syrian force warns against new Turkish attack, Russia alarmed

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (not pictured) attend a information convention, in Tirana, Albania January 17, 2022 REUTERS/Florion Goga/File Picture/File Picture

HATAY, Turkey, June 2 (Reuters) – The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stated on Thursday a brand new offensive threatened by Turkey in northern Syria would create a humanitarian disaster and undermine its marketing campaign towards the Islamic State group.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi known as on all sides to “stop any new tragedies and assist de-escalation”, warning {that a} new assault would gasoline but extra displacement in Syria’s 11-year-long battle.

Turkey, which has mounted 4 operations in northern Syria since 2016, has vowed a brand new offensive towards the Kurdish YPG militia, the spearhead of the SDF, which controls swathes of territory on the Turkish border.

Whereas Turkey views the Kurdish-led forces in Syria as terrorists and a nationwide safety menace, the USA views the SDF as an ally that has helped drive Islamic State from huge areas of Syria.

Turkey is one among a number of powers drawn into the conflict in Syria, the place Russia backs the federal government.

Russia, expressing alarm, stated it hoped Turkey “refrains from actions which may result in a harmful deterioration of the already tough scenario in Syria”.

A international ministry spokeswoman informed Interfax information company that if Ankara launched an assault it could symbolize a direct violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and provoke additional escalation of rigidity.

Washington, whose assist for the SDF has lengthy been a degree of rigidity in ties with its NATO ally Turkey, has expressed concern, saying any new offensive would put in danger U.S. troops – which have a presence in Syria – and undermine regional stability.

On a go to to the Turkish city of Hatay close to the Syrian border, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations reiterated U.S. opposition to any army motion.

“We expect that nothing needs to be accomplished to interrupt the ceasefire strains which have already been established,” Linda Thomas Greenfield stated.

She added any such motion wouldn’t solely enhance struggling but in addition the variety of displaced individuals, together with some who would possibly attempt to cross into Turkey.

DEADLY VIOLENCE

President Tayyip Erdogan stated on Wednesday Turkey would rid Syria’s Tal Rifaat and Manbij areas of terrorists, confirming the targets of the incursion and saying it could proceed into different areas. learn extra

Russian military helicopters have been making unusually frequent flights over northern areas held by the federal government or SDF over the past week, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based organisation which stories on the battle, stated.

On the bottom, there was an uptick in violence between Syrian events to the conflict. However sources on either side say they haven’t seen huge army actions.

The SDF-aligned Manbij Navy Council stated one among its fighters was killed whereas repelling an tried infiltration by Turkey-backed fighters.

Two of the attacking forces have been killed, Sharfan Darwish, its spokesperson, stated.

There was no instant remark from Turkey-backed teams within the space. Reuters couldn’t independently verify the incident.

On Wednesday, three civilians and a fighter have been killed in a rocket assault on Tel Abyad, a border city seized by Turkish forces and their Syrian allies in 2019, stated the Observatory.

The Observatory stated the rockets have been fired from areas the place each SDF and authorities forces function. The insurgent Nationwide Military stated the SDF was accountable. An SDF spokesperson couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.

Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Employees’ Occasion (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency since 1984 wherein greater than 40,000 individuals have been killed.

Western governments, together with the USA and European Union, designate the PKK as a terrorist organisation.

Extra reporting by Alaa Swilam in Cairo, Tom Perry in Beirut and Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman and David Ljunggren in Ottawa; writing by Maher Chmaytelli and Tom Perry; modifying by John Stonestreet, Christina Fincher and Jonathan Oatis

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