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U.S. Forces face increased danger in Syria as a result of Trump's withdrawal, Turkish Offensive
https://www.newsweek.com/turkey-syria-us-forces-danger-isis-1464213
BY JAMES LAPORTA ON 10/9/19 AT 2:55 PM EDT
As Turkey launches offensive operations into northeastern Syria against once American-backed Syrian militias, the danger facing U.S. forces in the region have heightened. This is because all U.S. operations against the Islamic State militant group in Syria have halted, Newsweek has learned.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey wrote on Twitter Wednesday his country's military in collaboration with the Syrian National Army had launched planned military incursions against U.S.-backed Syrian militias and Islamic State militants. This came despite threats from President Donald Trump of sanctions that would, "totally destroy and obliterate the economy of Turkey."
Turkey has long considered the Kurds to be archrivals, likening their Syrian militias to terrorist insurgencies, despite the U.S. providing military and financial aid to the groups in its fight against ISIS.
But a senior Defense Department official told Newsweek on Wednesday afternoon that all U.S. operations against Islamic State militants have halted in Syria. The order is in accordance with the U.S. handing over responsibility of operations against ISIS to Turkey.
"Turkey is now responsible for ensuring all ISIS fighters being held captive remain in prison and that ISIS does not reconstitute in any way, shape, or form," Trump said in a statement Wednesday. While Trump said the U.S. did not endorse the attack, characterizing the Turkish operation as a "bad idea," the statement made no mention of the American-backed Kurdish forces.
</snip>
BY JAMES LAPORTA ON 10/9/19 AT 2:55 PM EDT
As Turkey launches offensive operations into northeastern Syria against once American-backed Syrian militias, the danger facing U.S. forces in the region have heightened. This is because all U.S. operations against the Islamic State militant group in Syria have halted, Newsweek has learned.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey wrote on Twitter Wednesday his country's military in collaboration with the Syrian National Army had launched planned military incursions against U.S.-backed Syrian militias and Islamic State militants. This came despite threats from President Donald Trump of sanctions that would, "totally destroy and obliterate the economy of Turkey."
Turkey has long considered the Kurds to be archrivals, likening their Syrian militias to terrorist insurgencies, despite the U.S. providing military and financial aid to the groups in its fight against ISIS.
But a senior Defense Department official told Newsweek on Wednesday afternoon that all U.S. operations against Islamic State militants have halted in Syria. The order is in accordance with the U.S. handing over responsibility of operations against ISIS to Turkey.
"Turkey is now responsible for ensuring all ISIS fighters being held captive remain in prison and that ISIS does not reconstitute in any way, shape, or form," Trump said in a statement Wednesday. While Trump said the U.S. did not endorse the attack, characterizing the Turkish operation as a "bad idea," the statement made no mention of the American-backed Kurdish forces.
</snip>
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