We won’t tolerate terror on border, says Turkey as backlash hits Trump
TURKEY today revealed it was ready to launch a military operation in north-eastern Syria as Donald Trump faced a growing backlash over his move to “abandon” America’s Kurdish allies.
The president’s decision to pull dozens of special forces troops from the border region leaves Kurdish forces — who fought alongside the US against Islamic State — vulnerable to an attack by Turkey, which brands them terrorists over their links to insurgents in Syria.
The Turkish defence ministry tweeted early today: “The TSK [Turkish Armed Forces] will never tolerate the establishment of a terror corridor on our borders. All preparations for the operation have been completed. It is essential to establish a safe zone/peace corridor to contribute to our region’s peace and stability, and for Syrians to achieve a safe life.” Turkey wants to resettle two million refugees in northern Syria.
Mr Trump issued an order to withdraw troops on Sunday, revealing he had discussed the plan with Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the US would remove its forces from the “immediate area”. A US media report, citing an unnamed official, said Mr Trump was “out-negotiated” by Mr Erdogan.
Ankara quickly stepped up its plans, massing troops near the border yesterday. Video emerged appearing to show a bomb explosion not long after.
Last night Mr Trump insisted America had been there long enough and that writing letters to families of fallen soldiers was “devastating”: “I hate it … They get blown up with mines. They get taken out by a sniper. It’s devastating. The parents will never be the same.”
He also said he had consulted with “everybody” when asked whether he had spoken with the Joint Chiefs of Staff before Sunday’s decision.
A handful of top Republicans criticised MrTrump’s withdrawal announcement. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said: “A precipitous withdrawal of US forces from Syria would only benefit Russia, Iran and the Assad regime. And it would increase the risk that ISIS and other terrorist groups regroup.”
Senator Lindsey Graham, a loyal supporter of Mr Trump, said he would bring a cross-party bill to impose sanctions on Turkey should the Nato member invade northern Syria and threaten the Kurds. “By abandoning the Kurds we have sent the most dangerous signal possible — America is an unreliable ally,” he said.
Mr Trump said Turkey should “not do anything outside of what we would think is humane” and warned there would be “big trouble” if “any of our people get hurt”.