The US and Turkey remain at odds in eastern Syria, mostly over the
question of whether the Kurds will be allowed autonomy or indeed
continued existence as a semi-autonomy entity. As the arguments
continue, however, the US and Turkey have begun “joint patrols” in northeastern Syria.
Turkey sent forces across the border into
Syria to participate in this joint patrol scheme on the Syrian side of
the border. This is nominally a safe zone established between Turkey and
Kurdish-held eastern Syria.
While the Kurds haven’t been particularly happy with this arrangement,
the real grievance comes from Syria itself, which has noted that they
didn’t give Turkey or the US permission for this operation, and that it
is a “flagrant violation” of sovereignty.
This is true, of course. Syria never authorized either country to have
its troops in Syria in the first place, let alone to carve out a “safe
zone” which they would mutually administer.
The two nations that have taken extraordinary steps to make Syria less safe including ongoing arming of jihadists and secessionists now claim to be making the mess safer by annexing Syrian territory by force. Their PR experts certainly earned their money on this one.
How could the US military be “patrolling” with troops spanky “pulled out” ? Must be fake news……;?)
This is why the Russians didn’t put all their chips in the Turkish basket, cause one minute they are conducting a joint patrol with the Russians and the next do joint patrol with the U.S.
Assad ain’t perfect but he’s the only “friend” the Kurds can ever trust because they both despise Turkey more than each other.