QAMISHLI, Syria (Portal) – The Syrian Democratic Forces, a US-backed group that helped defeat jihadists Islamic State in Syria, said Friday it had all joint counterterrorism operations with the United States and other allies set result of Turkish bombardment of their controlled area.
The move was confirmed by the US military, which said in a statement that US forces in the region had halted “all partnered operations” against the Islamic State in Syria.
Turkey has ramped up its shelling and airstrikes into northern Syria in recent weeks and is preparing a ground invasion against Syrian Kurdish fighters they describe as terrorists but who make up the bulk of the SDF.
The SDF has long warned that repelling a new Turkish incursion would divert resources from protecting a prison housing IS fighters or fighting IS dormitories that still carry out hit-and-run attacks in Syria.
SDF spokesman Aram Henna told Portal that “all coordinated and joint counter-terrorism operations” with the US-led coalition fighting what remains of the Islamic State in Syria, as well as “all joint special operations that we conduct regularly” had been set.
The Turkish bombardment – using both long-range weapons and airstrikes – has frustrated its NATO ally Washington.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told his Turkish counterpart on Wednesday that the United States is “strongly opposed to a new Turkish military operation in Syria.” Austin also said Turkish raids directly threatened the safety of US personnel.
White House spokesman John Kirby repeated those comments on Friday, telling reporters that while the United States supports Turkey’s ability to defend itself in Turkey, “there are many reasons these operations worry us.” , including the potential harm to civilians and Americans part of Syria.
A Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter holds her weapon as they announce the destruction of Islamic State’s land control in eastern Syria at the al-Omar oil field in Deir Al Zor, Syria, March 23, 2019. Portal/Rodi Said/File Photo
“We also don’t want to see anything that would affect our ability to continue to pressure ISIS and affect our partnership with the SDF,” Kirby told reporters at a briefing, adding that previous Turkish operations had hit the SDF. less willing to continue contributing to counter-IS operations.
The US-led coalition has supported the SDF with airstrikes, military equipment and advisers since 2017, first helping it reclaim territory from IS and then supporting clearing operations against jihadist sleeper cells.
Sheikhmous Ahmed, the head of the displacement department in northeast Syria, told Portal that Turkish raids in late November disrupted operations in and around al-Hol, a detention center where women and children are being held by IS fighters.
He said humanitarian operations had been suspended for several days and some minors who belonged to ISIS tried to escape but were caught.
A Western source briefed on the matter said there had been “some worrying movements” in the area where foreign women and children linked to IS were being held.
However, a US Central Command spokesman said the SDF would continue to “patrol and maintain security at the al-Hol IDP camp and detention facilities.”
SDF chief Mazloum Abdi told Portal earlier this week he wanted to hear a stronger message from Washington in response to unprecedented Turkish operations along the border.
“We’re still nervous. We need stronger, more solid declarations to stop Turkey,” he said.
Reporting by Orhan Qereman in Qamishli, Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman, Jonathan Spicer in Istanbul, Phil Stewart, Steve Holland and Andrea Shalal in Washington; writing by Maya Gebeily and Susan Heavey; Edited by Raissa Kasolowsky, Kim Coghill, William Maclean and Daniel Wallis
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