Türkiye warns US troops in Syria could be targeted if White House fails to cooperate
US servicemen dressed in the uniform of the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) could be targeted in operations by the Turkish armed forces, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ said.
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| Turkish soldiers guard Bursayah hill, Syria on January 28. Photo: AP |
Relations between Ankara and Washington are undergoing a serious crisis because of Washington's military support for the YPG, which Ankara considers a terrorist organization.
"If the terrorists (YPG) do not withdraw from Syria's Manbij, we will start a military operation in this part of Syria and the area east of the Euphrates River.
At the same time, US soldiers wearing YPG uniforms will also be targets of our armed forces' operations," Bozdag said on CNN Turk.
Earlier, Mr. Bozdağ called on Washington to prevent conflicts between US and Turkish soldiers in northern Syria.
According to him, Ankara is doing everything to avoid this from happening, however, efforts should be made from both sides.
Türkiye has been carrying out Operation Olive Branch against Kurdish forces in Afrin, Syria since January 20. Ankara's allies are the "Free Syrian Army" fighters, who oppose the Syrian government.
