US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and discussed the current situation in Syria. Blinken reiterated that civilians must be protected, his spokesman said (see video above).
The Turkish government had expressed security concerns. In Syria, Turkish troops are fighting Kurdish-led forces, who in turn are backed by the US government – as key players in the fight against the jihadist militia Islamic State (IS). This has led to diplomatic tensions with the Erdogan government. According to her, the Kurdish forces are an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is classified as a terrorist organization and banned in Turkey.
Fighting IS “important task”
Blinken told Erdogan on Thursday that it is important to ensure that the “coalition against ISIS can continue to fulfill its important mission.” “At the same time, we want to prevent more conflicts from arising in Syria. This also means ensuring that IS does not reemerge. And crucial to ensuring that this does not happen are the so-called SDF, the Syrian Democratic Forces (…),” Blinken explained.
Erdogan also wants to fight against IS, but also against the Kurdish militia YPG. The YPG currently controls areas in northern Syria, but the Syrian National Army is advancing and recently took control of the city of Manbij.
Erdogan will Corridor
IS declared a ‘caliphate’ in 2014 and ruled over areas in Iraq and Syria for five years. A broad international coalition repelled the terrorist militia. Kurdish militias are involved in the fight against jihadists. Erdogan repeatedly talks about wanting to build a corridor that would extend 30 kilometers from the Turkish border to Syria.
As reported, the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied militias captured the Syrian capital Damascus on Sunday and overthrew ruling ruler Assad. A transitional government led by Islamists subsequently took power.
Ankara said it has no control over the HTS group, but has made it clear to them that it hopes for a peaceful transition and a new, inclusive Syria.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
