Erdogan announced military efforts to remove ISIS and YPG forces from Syria; Erdogan spoke with Trump over the weekend, delays offensive due to US withdrawal from Syria; Netanyahu responds to Erdogan’s anti-Semitism; ISIS gaining control in Hajin region.
Turkey reportedly deployed forces to its border with northern Syria near an area controlled by Kurdish forces on Saturday, days after its president announced military efforts to remove remaining ISIS and YPG factions from the region.
Arab reports claim tanks and soldiers were deployed on Saturday evening following confirmation from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey would delay an offensive on YPG forces as the United States withdraws from Syria.
President Trump announced last week that the United States will withdraw its over 2,000 soldiers from Syria, the President reporting his Administration’s plans to also withdraw half of US troops from Afghanistan. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned on Thursday citing his disapproval of the withdrawal from Syria.
Erdogan reportedly spoke with Trump centered on Syria over the weekend and assured him that Turkey would finish destroying remaining ISIS factions in Syria. Details of their call were not released to the public, but a White House official claimed Erdogan gave Trump his word.
Meanwhile, a reported total of 6,000 have been kidnapped and hundreds killed by the Islamic State in Hajin, east of the Euphrates River in Syria as SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) forces continue its battle for the city. ISIS has reportedly killed hundreds in secret as it gains more control in the Hajin region from Kurdish forces.
Over the weekend following Trump’s announcement, Erdogan reported Turkey’s plans to remove the YPG and remaining ISIS militants from Syria, stating “In the coming months, we will see an operational style aimed at removing the YPG [Kurdish People’s Protection Units] and Daesh [ISIS] elements on the ground in Syria.” Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also threatened over the weekend, “when the time comes they will be buried in the trenches. Of this there should no doubt.”
Akar also warned against provocations in the Aegean region, stating on Friday “everyone should stay away from provocations or else should know its price will be heavy.” Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos responded to Akar, stating “If they make the slightest move, we will crush them… Greece wants peace and harmony but it will not concede a single centimeter of its land.”
Turkey’s last military offense in Syria was in Afrin in January 2018 and in northern Syria against Islamic State forces prior in 2016.
Also over the weekend, Erdogan claimed while speaking to a youth forum in Istanbul that Jews kick men and women, referring to IDF soldiers. Erdogan, who is known for his anti-Semitism in his attacks on Israel, stated on Friday “The Jews in Israel kick people laying on the ground. In fact, Jews don’t kick men but also women and children when they fall on the ground,” threatening, “But as Muslims, will confront these people if they have courage to deal with us and we’ll teach them a lesson.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu responded, referring to the occupation of north Cyprus and the Turkish massacre of Kurdish communities, responding to Erdogan on Saturday and stating “Erdogan– the occupier of northern Cyprus, whose army massacres women and children in Kurdish villages, inside and outside Turkey – should not preach to Israel.”
The prime minister also confirmed a call with President Trump, his office confirming the talks centered on Syria and that the leaders “discussed ways to continue cooperation between Israel and the US against the Iranian aggression.”
Amir will give a special update on the behind the scenes of the decision to pull the US troops out of Syria and the chain reaction to it. Following his update, he will give a special teaching “For Unto Us A Child Is Born”. Tune in Sunday at 7:30 pm Israel time. These events will be streamed LIVE on our Youtube channel. Be sure to subscribe!
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