ISTANBUL – Turkey will start an operation east of the Euphrates river in northern Syria in a “few days” President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, a move that could further complicate relations with the United States.

“We will start the operation to clear the East of the Euphrates from separatist terrorists in a few days. Our target is never U.S. soldiers,” Erdogan said in a speech.

Ankara and Washington have long been at odds over Syria policy, where the United States has backed the YPG Kurdish militia in the fight against Islamic State. Turkey says the YPG is a terrorist organisation.

Reuters

12/12/2018