“The goal is to establish an ISIS-free zone and ensure greater security and stability along Turkey’s border with Syria,” the official said.
The U.S. official, who asked not to be named, was speaking during a visit to Ethiopia by U.S. President Barack Obama.
The official said that details of the zone "remain to be worked out," but that "any joint military efforts will not include the imposition of a no-fly zone" -- a long standing Turkish demand.
It would however entail Turkey supporting U.S. "partners on the ground" who are fighting against ISIS.
The pledge comes after a week of deadly violence in Turkey that the authorities blamed on both Kurdish PKK separatists and ISIS.
The violence included a suicide attack that killed 32 people and car bomb that killed two Turkish soldiers.
Ankara responded with a wave of attacks on ISIS targets in Syria and Kurdish targets in Iraq.
Kurds living in belt that spans Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran have long advocated independence, something Ankara has roundly rejected.
Publicly, the U.S. has given tacit backing to Turkey’s actions, saying Ankara “has a right to take action related to terrorist targets.”
But there is concern that sustained attacks could cause a rift with Kurdish regional authorities in Iraq, who are a key partner in fighting the Islamic State inside that country.
[alarabiya.net with AFP]
27/7/15
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Kurdish peace 'impossible' - Turkey's Erdogan...
ReplyDeleteThe Turkish president has said that Turkey cannot continue the peace process with the Kurds amid attacks by Kurdish militants on Turkish targets.
It comes as the Nato alliance discusses Turkey's campaigns against the Islamic State (IS) group and Kurdish militants.
Turkey has been hit by a series of attacks - including 32 killed by IS-linked militants in the Kurdish-majority town of Suruc on 20 July.
Turkey is backing plans for a buffer zone on the border with Syria.
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Kurdish leader decries Turkey's 'safe zone' plan in Syria...
ReplyDeleteA "safe zone" Turkey and the US are creating in Syria is an attempt by Ankara to stop Kurds from forming their own territory, the leader of Turkey's pro-Kurdish party has told the BBC.
HDP chairman Selahattin Demirtas said Turkey's operation against Islamic State militants across the border was a cover to target PKK Kurdish rebels.
He urged both Turkey and the PKK to return to the peace process.
Ankara earlier said PKK attacks on Turkey made peace attempts impossible.
There has been a recent series of clashes between Turkish forces and the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party).
Turkey has also been hit by attacks by by IS-linked militants - including one that left 32 dead in the border town of Suruc last week.
Turkey considers both the PKK and IS terrorist organisations.
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29/7/15