President Donald Trump on Sunday vowed to “devastate Turkey economically” should the Turkish military attack U.S.-allied Kurdish fighters — a rare direct threat by Trump to a NATO ally as his administration grapples with the execution of its plan to withdraw American soldiers from Syria, Politico said.
“Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions,” Trump tweeted. “Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone....”
The president also wrote online: “....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!”
The planned U.S. troop drawdown has provoked international uncertainty amid conflicting statements from senior administration officials deployed in recent days to help calm regional powers.
Turkey has supported American efforts against ISIS. But the Turks consider Kurds, who are also fighting ISIS, to be their enemy, and there have been concerns they might attack the Kurdish forces once the American forces are gone.
National security adviser John Bolton appeared to contradict the president in Jerusalem last weekend when he said the Syria wi...
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