Elaborating on US allegations that Turkish troops fired artillery at
them in a northern Syria base near Kobane, officials are now claiming
that they believe Turkey was deliberately “bracketing” them at a known site.
In a military context, “bracketing” means the strikes did not hit the
target, but rather hit on both sides of their location, pinning them by
preventing them from going in either direction.
This comes in the context of US forces saying Turkey had known the
location of that US base for months, and has Pentagon officials
convinced that what Turkey was doing was being done on purpose. US
officials say they would never do that to a partner force.
While US forces have since withdrawn from northern Syria, suggesting
that this shouldn’t be an issue in the future, Pentagon officials
reiterated that they have a “right to self-defense” in Syria, and could
be forced to take “defensive actions” against Turkey’s military.
That seems extremely unlikely to happen, indeed the US pullout from
north Syria underscores the American desire to avoid a direct
confrontation with Turkey. US officials reiterate the self defense
position likely in theory, not in practice.
Both US and Turkey troops should get out of thier illegal invasion in Syria fast before they get embarrassed….
Turkey is in the process of liberating Syria. First, from secessionist pretensions of Kurdish YPG militia, and from US that has supported this secessionism, and needed many excuses to stay in Syria well after ISIS DISAPPEARED.
Syrian Army is NOT on a move to confront Turkey. It is on the move to take over townships and villages from which YPG militia wants to withdraw.
KEEP IN MUND THE FOLLOWING. Kurds have their YPG militia placed in villages and towns that are MAJORITY Arab and Turkmen. Kurds in those places are sometimes less then 1%. YPG commission ruled a place under strict occupation rules. They could do that because ANY rebellion was called “ISIS”, and US backed them up.
Kurds in so called SDF controlled area are majority ONLY in Kobane town and small surrounding area.
In all places Kurds ruled, majority Arab population did not receive help, and in their schools Kurdish language was introduced. Local government was staffed by Arab officials who had to (often in TV) swear loyalty to Kurdish rule.
Large Arab towns like Raqqa were left devastated with poor access to water and electricity, and it was not de-mined. All to prevent refugees from coming back — and allow Kurds to later settle.
Towns on the border, Ras Al Ayn, and Tel Abyad are ARAB majority, tuled by YOG.
They have greeted Turkey as liberators, only we are not to see that on our TV.
Russia can facilitate turnover of towns and villages to Syrian army. But it will NOT accept such surrender if the only purpose is to block Turkey’s advance,
YPG may lose power in Kobane — their seat. Who knows what will happen now in Kobane where the “Parliament” now resides and a woman president. All the vestiges of a future state that US was going to build.
Why would Kurds follow US further South, since no Kurds live there. Would that corner then be reserved for Kurds, even though inly Arabs live there?
But if Kibane ousts YPG and a new party takes power, Kobane can agree to accept Syrian control and get protection of Syrian Army. Which would suit Turkey just fine.
“right to self defense in Syria”
Sure. Why not. I’m sure we wouldn’t have a problem if another country carved out a little piece of the US and claimed self defense whenever they were under fire.