Middle East round-up: The first Arab World Cup
Al JazeeraNov 25, 2022
Pentagon: Turkish Airstrikes In Syria 'Directly Threatened' US Troops
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Image copyright: AFP [via VOA News]
The Facts
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on Wednesday that a Turkish drone strike on a base in Syria on Tuesday put US troops and personnel at risk. No US service members were injured in the strike. No further information was provided, and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Kelly reportedly spoke with his Turkish counterpart Gen. Yasar Guler about "items of mutual strategic interest."
Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder expressed concern over escalating actions in the area in a statement on Wednesday, calling for immediate de-escalation to "maintain focus on the defeat-ISIS mission." At the same time, Ryder acknowledged Turkey's "legitimate security concerns."
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Turkey has been forced to conduct its own counterterrorism operations in northern Syria and northern Iraq because the US has continuously disregarded its NATO ally's security concerns. In order to fight ISIS in the region, Washington has provided military training and support to the PKK and its Syrian affiliate, YPG, despite designating it a terrorist organization. Turkey has no choice but to escalate action to protect itself.
Pro-establishment narrative
Turkey's obsession with Kurdish terrorism has dangerously escalated the situation in northern Syria, putting American forces at risk while also destabilizing the coalition's fragile control over ISIS. The SDF has no connection with the militant militia known as PKK and has been working with the US and coalition forces for years. This is not what the US should expect from an ally and sets a dangerous precedent for other alliances.
