ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said that ongoing clashes between Turkish-backed militia forces in Syria and Syrian Kurdish forces south of Jarablus are “unacceptable,” pointing out there are no longer Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) forces in that area. “While we are closing monitoring reports of clashes south of Jarablus – where ISIL is no longer located – between the Turkish armed forces, some opposition groups and units that are affiliated with the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), we want to make clear that we find these clashes unacceptable,” Cook said in a Sunday email statement. “This is an already crowded battle space. Accordingly, we are calling on all armed actors to stand down immediately and take appropriate measures to deconflict,” he added. Turkey is supporting at least 1,500 militia forces fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army (FSA). They forced out ISIS from Jarablus on Wednesday when the operation, which Turkey calls Euphrates Shield, commenced. The US gave supporting airstrikes to the capture of Jarablus. Since then, the Turks have been bombarding SDF and Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) positions with artillery and airstrikes as their FSA allies advance further south from Jarablus. The US has given support to the YPG and SDF in their fight against ISIS. However, they have strongly insisted that YPG forces withdraw to the eastern side of the Euphrates River. US Vice President Joe Biden warned the YPG on Wednesday that US support for them would be withdrawn if they refused to do so.
