Erdogan Says Turkey Plans New Syrian Offensive, Gained’t Search U.S. Permission

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned his nation remains to be dedicated to driving Syrian Kurdish militias out of northern Syria and that Ankara won’t watch for permission from the USA earlier than launching any new offensive.

“Like I at all times say, we’ll come down on them [Kurdish militias] instantly one evening. And we should,” Erdogan mentioned on his aircraft following a go to to Azerbaijan, in response to a report on Might 29 in The Hurriyet newspaper.

He added that “one can not combat terrorism whereas ready for the permission of whoever.”

“What is going to we do if the USA doesn’t do its half within the combat in opposition to terrorism? We’ll get by on our personal,” he mentioned.

Erdogan mentioned, with out offering a timeframe, that Turkey plans to launch a cross-border operation in opposition to the Syrian Kurdish Folks’s Safety Items (YPG) — a militia it considers a terrorist group linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Employees’ Celebration, which has led an insurgency inside Turkey for the reason that Eighties.

Washington, nevertheless, has backed the YPG in its combat in opposition to the Islamic State extremist group inside Syria, a transfer vehemently opposed by Ankara.

The U.S. State Division has expressed issues about Turkey’s plans, saying a brand new offensive might undermine regional stability and put U.S. forces in danger.

In 2019, Turkey’s incursion into northeast Syria in opposition to the YPG sparked worldwide condemnation, prompting Finland, Sweden, and others to limit arms gross sales to Turkey.

Ankara now could be retaliating by blocking the 2 Nordic nations’ bids to hitch NATO. Membership within the Western alliance should be unanimously authorized by present members.

Based mostly on reporting by AP and AFP