The president appears to be trying to balance competing impulses: bringing troops home while ensuring that efforts to contain ISIS will continue — and answering withering criticism for his Syria policy.
Tag: Kurds
As U.S. Leaves Allies in Syria, Kurdish Commander Struggles With Fallout
Mazlum Kobani, whose Kurdish-led force fought the Islamic State in Syria, fears that a complete United States withdrawal could endanger his people and allow the jihadists to regroup.
Kurds’ Sense of Betrayal Compounded by Empowerment of Unsavory Rivals
Abandoned by the U.S., Kurdish forces are doubly angry at who is seeking to replace them: Turkish-allied Syrian fighters the United States had long rejected as extremists, criminals and thugs.
Turkish President Slams Trump’s Letter for ‘Lack of Respect’
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said, “We will not forget this lack of respect” after receiving a letter from President Trump warning, “Don’t be a fool!”
Clashes and Confusion Mar Attempt at Cease-Fire in Syria
A day after Vice President Mike Pence announced a pause in the battle between Turkish and Kurdish forces, there were conflicting reports of whether Turkish troops were advancing or holding fire.
Turkey Agrees to Pause Fighting, but Not to Withdraw Forces From Northern Syria
After talks in Ankara, Vice President Mike Pence said the agreement would ‘‘save lives,’’ while Turkey said ‘‘we got what we wanted.’’
‘It’s Not a Choice:’ Syrians Flee After Turkish Forces Bombard Their Homes
Since Turkish forces attacked Kurdish-controlled territory in northeast Syria, almost two thousand refugees have fled the country. We spoke with some of them in Bardarash refugee camp, across the border in Iraq.
Trump Lashes Out on Syria as Republicans Rebuke Him in House Vote
President Trump again defends his decision to withdraw American troops, an order that many, including Republicans, have interpreted as acquiescing to Turkey’s incursion against a United States ally.
The World Condemns Erdogan’s War on Kurds. But Turkey Applauds.
Attacked abroad, and facing a raft of sanctions, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may nevertheless be getting what he wants from Turkey’s invasion of Kurdish-held Syria.
Turkey Urges Kurdish Fighters to Lay Down Their Arms
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the Kurds to leave northeast Syria “this night.” He spoke as Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were planning to visit Turkey, and as President Trump sought to distance himself from the…