SDF Syrian Kurds warn Turkey not to attack – US also against attack

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Thursday that a new Turkish-announced offensive in northern Syria would create a humanitarian crisis and undermine the campaign against Islamic State.

SDF Commander Mazlum Abdi called on all sides to “prevent further tragedies and support de-escalation”, warning that a new attack would trigger even more deportations in the 11-year-old conflict in Syria.

Turkey, which has carried out four invasions of northern Syria since 2016, has vowed to launch a new offensive against the Kurdish YPG militia, the spearhead of the SDF, which controls territory on the Turkish border. While Turkey views Kurdish-led forces in Syria as terrorists and a threat to national security, the United States views the SDF as an ally that helped oust the Islamic State from vast areas of Syria. Washington, whose support for the SDF has long been a point of tension in its ties with its NATO ally Turkey, has expressed concern, saying any new attack would jeopardize US troops – who are present in the area. Syria – and would undermine regional stability.

During a visit to the Turkish city of Hatay near the border with Syria on Thursday, the US ambassador to the United Nations reiterated US opposition to any military action. He added that any such action would not only increase the pain, but also the number of displaced people, including some who may try to cross the border into Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey would rid the Tal Rifaat and Manbij areas of northern Syria of terrorists, reaffirming for the first time the goals of the new invasion and saying it would continue in other areas.

There has been an escalation of violence near the border in recent days, but sources on both sides say they have not seen much military action. The SDF-affiliated Manbij Military Council said one of its fighters was killed on Thursday while repelling an attempt by Turkish-backed fighters to infiltrate. Two members of the attacking forces were killed, Sarfan Darwish, her spokesman, told Reuters in a recording.

The jihadists, Syrian opposition and Turkish mercenaries who make up the Syrian National Army, said the SDF had intensified bombing of their areas: “We are responding from our positions and Turkish bases in the area are bombing YPG positions,” he told Reuters. Major Youssef Hamoud, their representative.

Turkey sees the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has revolted since 1984, killing more than 40,000 people. Western governments, including the United States and the European Union, have branded the PKK a terrorist organization.