CENTCOM reiterates opposition to Turkey’s military operation into Syria

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Joe Buccino said Turkey’s military operation into Northern Syria jeopardizes the mission against the Islamic State (ISIS).

“ISIS remains a regional threat and any Turkish incursion places the mission to defeat ISIS at risk,” Buccino told Rudaw on Friday.

Last month Turkey has launched an aerial offensive into Northern Syria targeting Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) that Ankara sees as an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). It also signalled a ground offensive into the region “soon”. Turkey’s threatening a land operations met strong objections from the international powers, including the United States.

Buccino also said that they have “fully” resumed patrols with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Northern Syria which was briefly paused due to the Turkish offensive, Rudaw added.

SDF is allied with the United States in its fight against the ISIS. Kurdish YPG that Turkey sees as a threat against its security, forms the backbone of the SDF.