President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Twitter on Wednesday that Turkish Military Forces have launched a military offensive into northeastern Syria.
The Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Syrian National Army, just launched #OperationPeaceSpring against PKK/YPG and Daesh terrorists in northern Syria. Our mission is to prevent the creation of a terror corridor across our southern border, and to bring peace to the area.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) October 9, 2019
#OperationPeaceSpring will neutralize terror threats against Turkey and lead to the establishment of a safe zone, facilitating the return of Syrian refugees to their homes.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) October 9, 2019
We will preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and liberate local communities from terrorists.
CNN reports that the action taken by Turkey and Syrian Armed forces is directly aimed “at clearing US-back Kurdish forces, the People’s Protection Units (YPG) — which have been a key ally of the US in the fight against ISIS — away from Turkey’s border.”
The military offensive follows the Sunday late night announcement that U.S. Military would be moved from the area and would not take part in the operation.
The White House Statement in full from Sunday.
Today, President Donald J. Trump spoke with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey by telephone. Turkey will soon be moving forward with its long-planned operation into Northern Syria. The United States Armed Forces will not support or be involved in the operation, and United States forces, having defeated the ISIS territorial “Caliphate,” will no longer be in the immediate area.
The United States Government has pressed France, Germany, and other European nations, from which many captured ISIS fighters came, to take them back, but they did not want them and refused. The United States will not hold them for what could be many years and great cost to the United States taxpayer. Turkey will now be responsible for all ISIS fighters in the area captured over the past two years in the wake of the defeat of the territorial “Caliphate” by the United States.
On Monday the President faced rare bipartisan criticism over the decision, that Fox News reported left the Pentagon blindsided.
On Wednesday President Trump took to Twitter to defend his decision.
The United States has spent EIGHT TRILLION DOLLARS fighting and policing in the Middle East. Thousands of our Great Soldiers have died or been badly wounded. Millions of people have died on the other side. GOING INTO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE WORST DECISION EVER MADE…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2019
….IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY! We went to war under a false & now disproven premise, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. There were NONE! Now we are slowly & carefully bringing our great soldiers & military home. Our focus is on the BIG PICTURE! THE USA IS GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2019
True. Should have never been there in the first place! https://t.co/kVXtpB23Wy
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2019
Some Twitter users reactions to the invasion.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) called the invasion by Turkey a “disaster in the making,” adding that this move ensures the reemergence of ISIS. He went on to say he would lead an effort in Congress to make sure Erdogan pays a heavy price.
I urge President Trump to change course while there is still time by going back to the safe zone concept that was working.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 9, 2019
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME).
On Monday, I said that President Trump’s decision to abandon the Kurds, our major ally in the fight against ISIS, was terribly unwise. (1/2)
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) October 9, 2019
Today, we are seeing the consequences of that terrible decision. If the reports of Turkish strikes in Syria are accurate, I fear our allies the Kurds could be slaughtered. (2/2)
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) October 9, 2019
Rep. Bonnie Coleman (D-NJ).
Trump is a danger to our national security. He's betraying our allies and if he thinks the US can pursue its interests alone he's in way over his head. He's a drowning corrupt fool. We can't let him take our country down.#KurdsBetrayedByTrump https://t.co/x927alubrw
— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) October 9, 2019
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA).
@realDonaldTrump has betrayed our allies, further distancing America from any who would fight alongside us against our true enemies. Thousands will die, ISIS has a chance to resurge, and our standing in the world is diminished. #KurdsBetrayedByTrump https://t.co/R4mv6Q6443
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) October 9, 2019
Fox News National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin reported via tweet that Turkey is now teaming up with Russia.
If you want to understand how the President’s decision to pull back from the border, just green lighted a likely genocide of an ally who stepped in to help US defeat ISIS when NATO ally Turkey wouldn’t, read on. Turkey now teaming up with Russia to attack Kurds. https://t.co/gUkzbKeaL7
— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) October 9, 2019
The US military has been ordered by President Trump not to help. https://t.co/Fm0J7H9BBJ
— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) October 9, 2019
I am told by well-placed source that POTUS "went off script" from national security team's talking points in his phone conversation with the Turkish President. US military source: "a lot of people will die, a complete withdrawal of US forces from Syria is now all but assured."
— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) October 9, 2019
Rantt Media posted a video of President Trump from September of 2018.
Trump in September 2018 has some words for Trump today:
— Rantt Media (@RanttMedia) October 7, 2019
"Don't forget that's their territory. We have to help them… Tens of thousands of Kurds died fighting ISIS. They died for us and with us and for themselves… but they're great people…I don't forget.pic.twitter.com/uIxYfxBKfl
Some media news clips.
"What we're seeing is one of the greatest betrayals in military history."@DominicWaghorn has the latest as Turkey launches its military operation in northern Syria.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 9, 2019
Read more: https://t.co/vsG14H3WGn pic.twitter.com/usZHs4ssTb
WATCH: Turkish airstrikes rock Kurdish targets in Tel Abyad, as Turkey attacks into northern Syria on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/v0CSukDPHg
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 9, 2019
NBC's @RichardEngel reports from Turkey as the Trump-enabled offensive in Syria begins, which "could become a campaign of ethnic cleansing." #KurdsBetrayedByTrump pic.twitter.com/btoX1iHCQG
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) October 9, 2019
Live on @camanpour @cnni earlier this evening, explaining why #Turkey is undertaking this operation in North East #Syria. and why this operation is not against Syrian Kurds, but against terror groups who are attacking us. #OperationPeaceSpring #BarisPinari pic.twitter.com/yik2KZQXHk
— Gülnur Aybet (@Gulnuray) October 9, 2019
CNN reported in their live updates on the invasion that the UN Security Council will hold a closed-door meeting on Thursday regarding the Turkish military operation.
President Trump offered another statement.
Here’s Trump’s official written statement on Turkey and Syria. pic.twitter.com/AofzWTZZTU
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) October 9, 2019
Erdogan and President Trump are scheduled to meet in the Oval Office on November 13th.
It should be noted that both Collins and Graham said “if media reports” where true, after Erdogan tweeted his announcement.
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