JERUSALEM – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to invade northern Syria with the aim of annihilating Syria's Kurds, a U.S. ally who helped President-elect Donald Trump defeat Islamic State in 2019. may be on the brink of involving the country in a new war. .
A White House-brokered ceasefire between Turkey and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has been largely ignored by pro-Turkish forces and Erdogan, according to FOX News information from northern Syria. The SDF is facing an existential crisis after losing 12,000 fighters in operations supporting the US victory against Islamic State.
A SDF official in northern Syria told Fox News Digital that Syrian opposition forces and the Syrian National Army, allied with Erdogan's government, were “concentrating around Kobani from the east and west. The attacks are still continuing.” Additionally, the Kobani front line is constantly exposed to Turkish armed drone and artillery fire. Only the United States, which supports mediation between our country and Turkey, is aiming for a permanent ceasefire. ”
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President Biden arrives at the White House in Washington, DC, on December 19, 2023, and listens to shouts from the press. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
According to SDF officials, “The main attackers are called the SNA and make up the Al-Hamza and Sultan Suliman Shah divisions, which are loyal to Turkish MHP party leader Duret Bahçeli.'' President Erdoğan is a radical It is affiliated with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Simone Ledeen, told Fox News Digital: “The United States will continue to use all available means to defend itself while dealing with the reality that Turkey maintains military power.'' “We need to strengthen support for the SDF and ensure that the Self-Defense Forces can maintain their capabilities on the ground.” Our NATO allies are enabling a rapidly expanding jihadist threat. ”
In response to an interview with FOX News Digital, a US State Department spokesperson said: “Syria is currently in a fragile state. I don't want to take it.” We continue to talk with the Turkiye government and other countries in the region about a path forward that de-escalates tensions, rather than escalating them. ”
The spokesperson added: “Our focus is on promoting a Syrian-led political process while ensuring the permanent defeat of ISIS, in the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 2254. ISIS has an obligation to all countries with influence in Syria, given what we know they are using qualitatively.” The United States supports Syria's territorial integrity, including Turkiye, to promote stability, dialogue, and restraint. ”
President Biden (left) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attend the second day of the 50th G7 Summit held in Fasano, Italy on June 14. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
The Biden administration's alleged failure to support Erdogan's invasion could mean that 10,000 Islamic State terrorists held in SDS-run prisons will escape. The SDF has had to redeploy its forces to counter Turkish operations to depopulate northern Syria with SDS fighters. Counterterrorism experts say the re-emergence of the Islamic State in Syria could have a negative impact on U.S. security.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) repeatedly declared “leave the Kurds alone” in a speech to President Erdogan in Congress. He added, “The Kurds are America's friends…The Kurds are the most responsible for supporting us and the most responsible for destroying ISIS.”
President Kennedy warned President Erdoğan, “If you invade Syria and even touch the Kurdish head, I will ask the U.S. Congress to do something about it,'' adding, “Our sanctions will not help the Turkish economy.'' ” he pointed out. ”
Türkiye's economy is unstable, and strong economic sanctions from the United States could destabilize the Erdogan government.
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A U.S. Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) patrols the Suwaydiya oil field in northeastern Syria's Hasakah province on February 13, 2021. (Deir Suleiman/AFP via Getty Images)
When asked about reports that Turkish-allied forces were attacking Syrian Kurds, a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson told Fox News Digital: “The mentioned reports are baseless. “We never had any problems with the Kurds. On the contrary, we accepted them and supported them.” A clear distinction should be made between Syrian Kurds and those associated with terrorist organizations in order for them to become part of a united Syria. ”
The spokesperson added: “Mr. Turkiye's continued dedication and sacrifice in the fight against Daesh (ISIS) should not be overlooked. After all, Mr. Turkiye is one of the most reliable and capable in the region in the fight against Daesh.” He continues to be a great actor.” ”
The Turkish government uses Daesh, a transliteration of the Arabic acronym Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), to refer to the Sunni jihadist terrorist movement.
The US-led mediation effort collapsed after Turkey did not accept key points “including the transfer of remaining Manbij Military Council fighters and civilians wishing to move to safer areas in northern and eastern Syria,” it said. SDF statement When confronted, we aim to resolve the issue regarding the transfer of Suleiman Shah's remains to their original location,” a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. “It is Turkey's determination, not Turkiye, that is escalating the situation on the ground. ” he said. Syrian people should take action against terrorist organizations. ”
U.S. forces conduct military training for members of the YPG/SDF, which Turkey considers an extension of the PKK, in the Qamisli district of Al-Hasakah province, Syria, on August 18, 2023. (Via Khedir Amir/Anadolu Agency)
Furthermore, “The Syrian people, energized by the confidence gained from overthrowing the Ba'ath regime, are striving to oust the PKK/YPG/'SDF,' a terrorist organization that has occupied territory for many years and subjected it to violence and repression. ” he added. They have successfully removed the organization from Manbij and Deir Ezzor, and are on the verge of doing so in Raqqa. In the end, this is just a reflection. It is the will of the Syrian people. ”
PKK is the abbreviation for Kurdistan Workers' Party, an organization classified as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. The United States has a long-standing military alliance with the Kurdish military group People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria. The YPG is part of a broader organization known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which played a key role in dismantling Islamic State in Syria.
As bipartisan support for Syria's Kurds grows in Congress, lawmakers are sending a message to the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration.
On Wednesday, Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Lindsey Graham (R.C.) threatened to impose sanctions on President Erdogan. “Turkey has some legitimate security concerns that can be addressed, but the United States cannot sit idly by as these developments undermine regional security,” the senators said in a joint statement. ” he said.
“Following the fall of the Assad regime, Turkish-backed forces have stepped up attacks against their Kurdish partners in Syria, once again threatening the vital mission of preventing the resurgence of ISIS,” they said. said.
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President Trump (left) speaks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan upon arriving at the Summit of Heads of State and Government at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on July 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
Fox News Digital did not immediately respond to requests for comment from President-elect Trump's press secretary and the incoming National Security Council adviser, Rep. Michael Walz (R-Fla.).
Shukriya Bradost, a Kurdish expert who was born and raised in Iran's Kurdistan region, told Fox News Digital that “the most realistic option for Turkey is to have a dialogue with the Kurdish regime in Syria, mediated by the United States.'' spoke. Cooperation is in the interests of both Turkey and the Kurds, and could stabilize the region while addressing Turkey's security concerns and the experience Turkey already has in the Kurdish autonomous region of Iraq. Dew. (KRG)”
She added: “Turkey has already shown that it can cooperate with the Kurdish regime in Syria. In the past, oil from northern Syria flowed into Turkey through the KRG, showing the possibility of economic and political cooperation. “This precedent proves that mutual interests can prevail,” he added. historical rivalry. ”
Bradost recommended that Washington “broker a historic agreement that addresses Turkey's security concerns without dismantling Kurdish autonomy in Syria. The Abraham Accords are unprecedented in the Middle East. “Just as it brought about a diplomatic breakthrough, the U.S.-brokered agreement between Turkey and the Syrian Kurds could be transformative.” The way forward. ”
On Friday, Barbara Leaf, the State Department's top diplomat for the Middle East, met with representatives of the US-designated terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Damascus. HTS and its Islamist allies overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad less than two weeks ago.
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Leaf told reporters after the meeting that a ceasefire remains in place around Manbij and that “the impact of the fighting near the Tishreen dam and the damage to the dam, especially if there is significant damage to structures,” is on the rise. He said he was concerned. He added that the United States is working with Turkish authorities and the Self-Defense Forces towards a ceasefire around Kobani.
