Insta
“Will Devastate Turkey Economically If They Hit Kurds”, Warns Trump Amid Pullout Of US Troops From Syria
Swarajya Staff
Jan 14, 2019, 03:50 PM | Updated 03:50 PM IST
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United States President Donald Trump on Sunday (13 January) threatened to “devastate” Turkey economically if it attacks Kurdish forces in Syria after American forces’ withdrawal from the war-torn country. Trump also asked the Kurds to not provoke Turkey, The Tribune has reported.
The pullout of the US forces began last week after President Trump made an announcement last month to withdraw 2,000 American troops from Syria. The withdrawal of US troops has left America’s Kurdish allies vulnerable to an attack from Turkey which views them as terrorists aligned with Turkish insurgents.
US President also warned Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) of attacks from nearby military bases if the terrorist organisation regained momentum.
Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019
The tweet comes in the wake of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hitting out at US National Security Advisor John Bolton for saying that US Withdrawal was possible only if Turkey pledges not to attack American-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria after the pullout of the troops.
“Bolton made a serious mistake. If he thinks that way, he is in a big mistake. We will not compromise,” Erdogan was quoted in the report as saying.
However, not wanting to be seen as overly tough on Turkey, which allied with US against the ISIS, President Trump also asked Kurdish forces to not “provoke” Ankara.
....Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019
Trump also said that Iran, Russia and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of US policy of destroying ISIS in Syria and it is time for America to pullout its troops.
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