Pentagon says Turkish airstrikes threatened US personnel in northern Syria
WASHINGTON (AA) – The Pentagon has expressed concern about Türkiye’s airstrikes in northern Syria, saying they posed a threat to US personnel and harmed the fight against the ISIS.
“Recent airstrikes in Syria directly threatened the safety of U.S. personnel who are working in Syria with local partners to defeat ISIS and maintain custody of more than ten thousand ISIS,” said Spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder in a statement.
Ryder said the US recognizes Türkiye’s legitimate security concerns and added “we will continue to discuss with Türkiye and our local partners maintaining cease-fire arrangements.”
On Sunday, Ankara launched Operation Claw-Sword, a cross-border aerial campaign against the YPG/PKK group which has hideouts across the Iraqi and Syrian borders.
The airstrikes came in response to an attack on Nov. 13 on Istanbul’s crowded Istiklal Avenue that killed six people and left 81 injured.
Ryder said the Pentagon is “deeply concerned by escalating actions in northern Syria, Iraq and Türkiye,” adding that the escalation “threatens the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS’s years-long progress.”
He also said that “uncoordinated military actions” threatened Iraq’s sovereignty.
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