People walk with their belongings as they flee the rebel-held town of Hammouriyeh, in the village of Beit Sawa, eastern Ghouta, Syria March 15, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (MENA) - The Pentagon has called on Turkey to halt its military offensive into Syria, warning of “serious consequences” if it does not comply.
In a Thursday phone call with Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, Defense Secretary Mark Esper "made it clear that the United States opposes Turkey's uncoordinated actions" in northeast Syria, chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement Friday.
Esper told Akar that the Turkish strikes "place at risk the progress" in combating ISIS, and that its action "risks serious consequences for Turkey," Hoffman said.
"The Secretary also reiterated his strong concern that, despite US force protection measures, Turkey's actions could harm U.S. personnel in Syria," Hoffman added, saying Esper "strongly encouraged" Turkey to discontinue actions "to increase the possibility that the United States, Turkey and our partners could find a common way to deescalate the situation before it becomes irreparable."
Comments
Leave a Comment