MESOPOTAMIA NEWS :Analysis – US statements of concern not enough to deter Turkey in Syria: analyst

By ROJ ELI ZALLA  “ Nov 2018 – RUDAW – Merve Tahiroglu, research associate at Foundation For Defense of Democracies.

WASHINGTON – US statements of concern “are not going to stop Turkey” from carrying out further attacks or even a full ground operation against Kurdish forces in northern Syria, said an analyst. Merve Tahiroglu, research associate at Foundation For Defense of Democracies, discussed Turkey’s recent attacks on Kurdish villages and self-defence positions in Rojava, northern Syria.

 She argued that the US has reasons to be concerned because Turkey’s attacks have caused a suspension of SDF operations against ISIS in Deir ez-Zor.  

But, ultimately, the US needs to nail down what it wants to accomplish in northern Syria, she said. If it wants to continue working with the Kurds, it has to get Turkey to change its attitude towards the groups.   “I think the US has the power to do it. I’m just not sure that it has the willingness to do it right now.”  More via www.mesop.de