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.
Military
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.
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.’
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.
Volker Testimony Destroys Narrative Of Diplomatic Turmoil Following Ukraine Phone Call
The United States’ former envoy to Ukraine told congressional investigators neither country’s officials were concerned about anything in the July 25 phone call between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky until a campaign of leaks alleging abuse of power began surfacing in late August. Far from the media-fed narrative of officials being physically shaken by the call, Kurt Volker told lawmakers no one had expressed any concern to him about it, or about later allegations that requests for Ukraine’s help in corruption investigations was improper.
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.
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.
Trump swears allegiance to Israel as he decries endless Middle East wars
US President Donald Trump swore allegiance to Israel as he decried endless Middle East wars and defended his decision to withdraw US troops from the Kurdish area of northern Syria, when he spoke at the annual Values Voters Conference in Washington.
Saudi visit signals Putin’s growing Middle East influence
President Vladimir Putin signaled Moscow’s growing Middle East clout on Monday on his first visit to Saudi Arabia in over a decade, buoyed by Russian military gains in Syria, strong ties with Riyadh’s regional rivals and energy cooperation.
UN: Turkey assault has displaced 130,000 and number could triple
Turkey’s deadly assault on Kurdish positions in northeastern Syria has forced 130,000 people to flee their homes, the UN said Sunday, adding it was preparing for that figure to more than triple.
US moves toward a rapid, complete withdrawal of its military forces from Syria
The United States appears to be heading toward a full military withdrawal from Syria amid growing chaos, cries of betrayal and signs that Turkey’s invasion could fuel a broader war.
US senators propose tough sanctions on Turkey unless it leaves Syria
A bipartisan group of US senators said Wednesday they have agreed on far-reaching sanctions to be slapped on NATO ally Turkey if its forces do not withdraw from neighboring Syria.
Ukraine president says ‘no blackmail’ in phone call with Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters Thursday his controversial July call with President Trump involved no bribe, blackmail or quid pro quo, as impeachment-minded Democrats claim.
Turkey’s Erdogan threatens to send Syrian refugees to Europe
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday Ankara will send the 3.6 million Syrian refugees in Turkey to Europe if European countries label the country’s military incursion in Syria as an occupation.