Trump ‘fully prepared’ to use military force against Turkey to protect Kurds in Syria
Donald Trump is ‘fully prepared’ to use military force if ‘needed’ against Turkey after Ankara launched an offensive against America’s allies in Syria.
Syria
Hosting Pompeo amid concerns about policy in Syria, PM hails US-Israel alliance
Hosting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday as President Donald Trump’s policy changes on Syria spark concern among Israelis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Pompeo and Trump for their ‘consistent support for Israel’ and hailed the strength of US-Israel ties. Commenting on the US-arranged ceasefire in Turkey’s offensive in Syria against Kurdish fighters, the prime minister said mildly that he hoped it would ‘turn out for the best.’
Erdogan to discuss Syrian deployment in ‘safe zone’ with Putin next week
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday he would discuss the deployment of Syrian government forces in a planned ‘safe zone’ in northern Syria during talks with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin next week, but warned Ankara would ‘implement its own plans’ if a solution was not reached.
U.S. troops cross into Iraq from Syria
United States troops have crossed into Iraq from Syria through the Sahela border crossing in the northern province of Dohuk, Reuters witnesses said on Monday.
Kurdish military leader says his fighters still want to work with US, accuses Turkey of ‘violating’ cease-fire, ‘ethnic cleansing’
The Kurdish military leader who serves as commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces revealed to Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin in a telephone interview Sunday from his base inside Syria that Turkey’s military has ‘violated’ the planned cease-fire and was continuing to commit ‘ethnic cleansing.’
Syria critic Lindsey Graham reverses stance, says Trump’s policy could succeed
Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who has been one of the most vocal critics of President Donald Trump’s decision to move U.S. troops out of northeastern Syria, said on Sunday he now believed ‘historic solutions’ were possible.
Iran rejects Turkey’s establishing of military posts in Syria
Iran rejects Turkey’s establishing of military posts inside Syria, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday, adding that the integrity of Tehran’s key regional ally should be respected.
Pence says Erdogan knows Trump ‘says what he means’ after Syria cease-fire
Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News in an exclusive interview Thursday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ‘knows President Trump says what he means what he says’ about Trump’s threat to slap sanctions on Turkey if its military defies the terms of a cease-fire meant to halt Ankara’s offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.
Pompeo lands in Israel for meet with Netanyahu, talks on Syria
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Israel overnight Thursday-Friday for talks on Syria following the pullout of American soldiers and Turkey’s launching of a military offensive against Kurdish fighters.
Pence Announces Ceasefire Deal With Erdogan to End Turkey’s Syria Offensive
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Thursday he had reached a deal with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for a ceasefire in northern Syria to end an eight-day-old Turkish offensive against Kurdish-led forces.
As US withdraws, Jerusalem spooked by Moscow’s growing control over Middle East
US President Donald Trump’s newly announced withdrawal of nearly all US troops from northern Syria has cemented Russia’s status as the predominant global military power actively engaged in the Middle East.
US jets destroy anti-ISIS coalition base in Syria after withdrawal, official says
Two Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) F-15 jets destroyed a base that was the headquarters of the anti-ISIS coalition in northern Syria on Wednesday after it had been vacated, according to a military official.
US House overwhelmingly condemns Trump’s Syria withdrawal, Turkey offensive
The House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted its bipartisan condemnation of US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of American forces from northern Syria.
Russia Vows To Prevent Clashes Between Syrian, Turkish Armies
Russia says it won’t allow clashes between Turkish and Syrian forces as Turkey pressed its offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria.
Russia says ‘unacceptable’ Turkish incursion into Syria must be temporary
Russia called Turkey’s military incursion into northeast Syria ‘unacceptable’ and said on Tuesday the operation had to be limited in time and scale, a rare broadside that suggests Moscow’s patience with Ankara is wearing thin.
Turkish-backed forces come ‘very close’ to US troops in Syria, official says
Turkish-backed forces came ‘very close’ to U.S. troops in Syria just west of a coalition base in the northern Syrian town of Ain Issa Tuesday — so close that American jets and attack helicopters were called in to disrupt the approaching forces, a U.S official tells Fox News.
Turkey’s Erdogan positioned to be Putin ally in NATO
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan could help Russia in multiple ways if he continues to undermine the effectiveness of NATO from within the transatlantic alliance, according to diplomats and analysts.
Putin invites Erdogan to Russia as Turkey advances in Syria
Russia’s president Vladimir Putin spoke with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan about Syria by phone and invited him to visit Russia in the next few days, the Kremlin said late on Tuesday.
US Sanctions Turkey, Seeks Halt to Syria Offensive
U.S. President Donald Trump is pressuring Turkey to stop its offensive in northern Syria with calls for a cease-fire and sanctions against Turkish officials, as he plans to send a delegation led by Vice President Mike Pence to Ankara for talks to resolve the situation.
US calls for historic NATO sanctions on Turkey
NATO powers might sanction Turkey over the assault on U.S. partners that has ‘resulted in the release of many dangerous ISIS detainees,’ Defense Secretary Mark Esper said.