US engaged with Turkey on potential escalation in Syria: spox
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Washington has engaged with Ankara about the possibility of escalations between Turkey and Kurdish fighters in Syria, the spokesperson for the US State Department said in a press briefing on Wednesday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hinted at a new military operation against Kurdish fighters earlier this week.
Erdogan said on Monday that his country’s army and intelligence were making preparations to launch new military operations along its southern border to complete the 30km-deep “safe zone” it planned years ago, likely aimed at Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.
Rudaw’s Roj Elli Zalla asked Ned Price, the US state department spokesperson, about the possibility of new clashes in Rojava.
"We have engaged with our Turkish allies on this question in the first instance to learn more about the proposal that President Erdogan first voiced within recent days. We have done so from our embassy, from our department here as well," he replied.
Price said on Tuesday that the US is “deeply concerned about reports and discussions of potential increased military activity in northern Syria and in particular its impact on the civilian population there.”
He stated that the US expects Turkey to honor their 2019 agreement to pause its military operations in northern Syria, adding that maintaining the ceasefire lines was “crucial” for enhancing Syria’s stability, and calling for a “political solution” to the conflict.
Turkey attacked the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria in 2019, invading Sari Kani (Ras al-Ain) and Gire Spi (Tal Abyad). Moscow and Washington struck two separate agreements with Ankara to suspend the offensive in return for the establishment of a “safe zone” at a depth of 30 kilometers along Turkish southern borders.
Erdogan said on Monday that his country’s army and intelligence were making preparations to launch new military operations along its southern border to complete the 30km-deep “safe zone” it planned years ago, likely aimed at Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.
Rudaw’s Roj Elli Zalla asked Ned Price, the US state department spokesperson, about the possibility of new clashes in Rojava.
"We have engaged with our Turkish allies on this question in the first instance to learn more about the proposal that President Erdogan first voiced within recent days. We have done so from our embassy, from our department here as well," he replied.
Price said on Tuesday that the US is “deeply concerned about reports and discussions of potential increased military activity in northern Syria and in particular its impact on the civilian population there.”
He stated that the US expects Turkey to honor their 2019 agreement to pause its military operations in northern Syria, adding that maintaining the ceasefire lines was “crucial” for enhancing Syria’s stability, and calling for a “political solution” to the conflict.
Turkey attacked the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria in 2019, invading Sari Kani (Ras al-Ain) and Gire Spi (Tal Abyad). Moscow and Washington struck two separate agreements with Ankara to suspend the offensive in return for the establishment of a “safe zone” at a depth of 30 kilometers along Turkish southern borders.