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Turkey 'ready for operation' in Syria as Trump defends US pullout Turkey 'ready for operation' in Syria as Trump defends US pullout
(about 2 hours later)
Turkey has said it is ready to launch its long-threatened operation in north-eastern Syria that could target Kurdish forces long allied to the US.Turkey has said it is ready to launch its long-threatened operation in north-eastern Syria that could target Kurdish forces long allied to the US.
The announcement came after President Trump ordered a withdrawal of US troops from the border area, a move that was widely condemned at home and abroad.The announcement came after President Trump ordered a withdrawal of US troops from the border area, a move that was widely condemned at home and abroad.
Mr Trump defended his move again on Tuesday, saying the Kurds had not been abandoned, calling them "special".Mr Trump defended his move again on Tuesday, saying the Kurds had not been abandoned, calling them "special".
He softened his tone after threatening Turkey if it acted "off limits".He softened his tone after threatening Turkey if it acted "off limits".
In a series of tweets, Mr Trump praised Turkey as a trade partner and Nato ally, hours after saying he would "destroy and obliterate" its economy if the country took advantage of his surprise decision.In a series of tweets, Mr Trump praised Turkey as a trade partner and Nato ally, hours after saying he would "destroy and obliterate" its economy if the country took advantage of his surprise decision.
Mr Trump said his pullout - described as a "stab in the back" by Kurdish forces who helped defeat Islamic State (IS) in Syria - affected "only 50 soldiers". The US has some 1,000 troops in Syria. Mr Trump said his pullout - described as a "stab in the back" by Kurdish forces who helped defeat Islamic State (IS) in Syria - affected "only 50 soldiers" of the some 1,000 US troops in the country.
"We may be in the process of leaving Syria, but in no way have we Abandoned the Kurds, who are special people and wonderful fighters," Mr Trump said. "We may be in the process of leaving Syria, but in no way have we Abandoned the Kurds, who are special people and wonderful fighters," Mr Trump said, adding that the US was helping the Kurds "financially [and with] weapons".
Turkey regards the Kurdish militias, which dominate the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as terrorists, and the US withdrawal was seen as paving the way for a Turkish offensive. "Any unforced or unnecessary fighting by Turkey will be devastating to their economy and to their very fragile currency," the president said, describing the relationship between the two countries as "very good".
In an apparent response to Mr Trump's earlier comments, Turkish Vice-President Fuat Oktay said the country would not bow to threats over its Syria plans, saying: "Where Turkey's security is concerned, we determine our own path but we set our own limits." Turkey regards the Kurdish militias, which dominate the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as terrorists, and the US withdrawal was seen as paving the way for a Turkish offensive. On Tuesday night, military vehicles and personnel were seen heading towards the border area.
On Tuesday, the White House confirmed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would visit the US on 13 November at the invitation of President Trump. Meanwhile, the White House confirmed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would visit the US on 13 November at the invitation of President Trump.
Turkey wants to set up a 480km (300 mile) long and 30km deep "safe zone" along its border with Syria, to resettle up to two million of the more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees currently living in Turkey.Turkey wants to set up a 480km (300 mile) long and 30km deep "safe zone" along its border with Syria, to resettle up to two million of the more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees currently living in Turkey.
Eyes trained on the borderEyes trained on the border
BBC's Orla Guerin in Akcakale on the Turkish-Syria frontierBBC's Orla Guerin in Akcakale on the Turkish-Syria frontier
Here in Akcakale there is no sign of any Turkish military build-up, but on both sides of the border wall there is a sense that an offensive is coming, and probably soon. On both sides of the border wall there is a sense that an offensive is coming, and probably soon. There is no indication that the crescendo of international concern is altering Turkey's plans for establishing a "safe zone".
There is no indication that the crescendo of international concern is altering Turkey's plans for establishing a "safe zone". Dozens of TV cameras - local and international - are now trained on the border wall. For civilians and refugees on the other side, in north-eastern Syria, there are real fears of what a Turkish invasion could mean.
Dozens of TV cameras - local and international - are now trained on the border wall. For civilians and refugees on the other side, in north-eastern Syria, there are real fears of what a Turkish invasion could mean. Even if it's limited in scope - and it's unclear if it will be - it could cause massive displacement. Even if it is limited in scope - and it is unclear if it will be - it could cause massive displacement. And what of the thousands of Islamic State prisoners being held in Kurdish-run detention centres?
And what of the thousands of Islamic State prisoners being held in Kurdish-run detention centres? A spokesman for the SDF told the BBC that if the attack happened, they would have to focus on defending themselves and would have to withdraw some of their forces from the jails, and from areas recently liberated from IS. A spokesman for the SDF told the BBC that if the attack happened, they would have to focus on defending themselves and would have to withdraw some of their forces from the jails, and from areas recently liberated from IS.
What's Turkey saying?What's Turkey saying?
Turkey's defence ministry said "all preparations for the operation have been completed," adding the establishment of such a zone was "essential" for Syrians and for peace in the region. Turkey's defence ministry said "all preparations for the operation have been completed," adding the establishment of the "safe zone" was "essential" for Syrians and for peace in the region.
If Turkey takes over areas controlled by Kurdish-led forces, the White House said Turkey would be responsible for all IS fighters held there. Separately, Vice-President Fuat Oktay said the country would not bow to threats over its Syria plans, saying: "Where Turkey's security is concerned, we determine our own path but we set our own limits."
The comment appeared to be a response to Mr Trump's earlier threat to target the Turkish economy which was reportedly an attempt to placate domestic criticism, including from Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
In other developments:In other developments:
What was the response in the US to the withdrawal? If Turkey takes over areas controlled by Kurdish-led forces, the White House said Turkey would be responsible for all IS fighters held there.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in Congress, was among those who criticised the decision. He said a "precipitous withdrawal of US forces from Syria would only benefit Russia, Iran and the Assad regime".
Fellow Republican Lindsey Graham, a close ally of the president, called the move a "disaster in the making" while Nikki Haley, former US ambassador to the UN, said "leaving [the Kurds] to die [was] a big mistake".
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said the president "must reverse this dangerous decision", described by her as "reckless" and "misguided".