Trump says he will wipe out Turkey’s economy if it wipes out the Syrian Kurds
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would devastate Turkey’s economy if Ankara’s incursion in Syria wipes out the Kurdish population there.
Syria
Senators Launch Bipartisan Push to Sanction Turkey Over Syria Offensive
Breaking with President Trump over the issue, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Wednesday joined Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in announcing a bipartisan push for sanctions against the leaders and military of Turkey – a NATO ally – until it halts a unilateral military operation in northeastern Syria and withdraws its forces.
Syrian Christians to US: ‘Don’t Abandon Us Now’
Not long after the defeat of the Islamic State in the area, Syrian Christians warn that US military withdrawal from the Kurdish-controlled region, announced yesterday by President Donald Trump, will expose them to danger.
EU demands Turkey halt Syria operation as NATO chief urges ‘restraint’
EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday demanded Turkey halt its military operation against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, telling Ankara a political solution was the only way to end the Syrian conflict.
Possible ‘Humanitarian Catastrophe’: Kurdish Civilians Rush to Protect Syrian Border as Turkish Invasion Begins
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that his invasion into northeast Syria has begun. A spokesman for the Kurdish fighters said Turkish warplanes have started attacking the region.
Turkish army pushes into Syria, people flee as air strikes, artillery hit border town
Turkey launched a military operation against Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria on Wednesday just days after U.S. troops pulled back from the area, with air strikes and artillery hitting YPG militia positions around the border town of Ras al Ain.
Iran opposes military action in Syria, Zarif tells Turkey
Iran’s top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif told his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in a phone call that Tehran is opposed to military action in Syria, the foreign ministry said.
Trump defends decision on Syria, says he was elected to get out of ‘endless wars’
President Trump on Monday defended his decision to pull U.S. troops out of northeast Syria, saying he is keeping his pledge to get Americans out of ‘endless wars.’
Turkey military advances as U.S. withdraws from Syria
World leaders were “preparing for the worst” Monday as Turkey moved quickly toward a sweeping military offensive against U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters in northern Syria after President Trump’s surprise announcement that he would pull American forces out of a crucial buffer zone along the border between the two nations.
As impeachment looms, GOP revolts against Trump on Syria
They may have his back on impeachment, but some of President Donald Trump’s most loyal allies are suddenly revolting against his decision to pull back U.S. troops from northern Syria.
‘Islamic State’ resurgence a ‘very real possibility’ after US exits Syria
For months, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to send troops into neighboring Syria. Then, on Saturday, he announced he would deliver on his promise and send Turkish air and ground forces into the country. Erdogan plans to create a “safe zone” along the Turkish-Syrian border. The purpose of this is to push back the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are led by the predominantly Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). Ankara considers the Kurdish militia a threat to its national security.
Turkey’s Syria incursion may allow ISIS to attempt mass prison break amid US withdrawal, Kurdish fighters warn
ISIS fighters and other terrorists comprising the more than 10,000 Islamic militants jailed in northeast Syria could launch a mass prison break as U.S. troops withdraw from the region in response to Turkey’s impending incursion, Syrian Kurdish fighters warned Monday.
Turkey announces incursion of northeast Syria, US-backed Kurds have vowed ‘all-out’ war
The White House announced late Sunday that Turkey will soon move forward with its planned military operation in northeast Syria in an area where U.S. troops have been deployed and operating with Kurdish-led forces.
US steps aside for Turkey to invade northern Syria, crush Kurds
The White House said Sunday that US forces in northeast Syria will move aside and clear the way for an expected Turkish assault, essentially abandoning Kurdish fighters who fought alongside American forces in the years-long battle to defeat Islamic State militants.
Syrian Christians Brace for Impending Turkish Invasion as ‘Safe Zone’ Deadline Expires
A large-scale Turkish invasion of northern Syria appears to be imminent after the deadline to jointly establish a ‘safe zone’ in the region with the United States by the end of September passed without a resolution between the two countries.
Tehran, Moscow at odds over plans to build up military near Damascus
Tehran and Moscow are said to be at loggerheads over the building of Iranian military installations being erected near the Syrian capital of Damascus.
Syria demands withdrawal of U.S., Turkish forces, warns of countermeasures
Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem on Saturday demanded an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. and Turkish troops from his country and warned that Syrian government forces had the right to take countermeasures if they refused.
New allegations that Assad is behind attacks on Christians undercuts ‘protector’ narrative
Despite public domestic Christian support for Syrian President Bashar Assad, some members of minority Christian groups argue he manipulates and threatens them.
Russia to Expand Its Hmeimim Airbase in Syria, Reports Say
Russia is expanding its Hmeimim airbase in Syria and rebuilding a second landing strip to allow the facility to serve more aircraft, Russian news agencies cited an unnamed Defense Ministry official as saying on Thursday.
Syrian Forces Again Used Chemical Weapons, US Says
Syrian forces used chemical weapons during an attack in Latakia province in May, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday.