Erdogan threatens to expand Syria offensive despite criticism

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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened on Friday to expand Turkey's offensive in Syria against a Kurdish militia, despite calls for restraint from its Western allies.

On the seventh day of the operation against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia, Erdogan vowed to "clean up" the Syrian city of Manbij.

The United States has raised concerns over the deadly offensive, and analysts say a military confrontation between the two NATO powers is possible since the US has a military presence in Manbij.

Turkey launched operation "Olive Branch" against the YPG on Saturday, supporting Syrian rebels with ground troops, air strikes and artillery fire.

President of Turkey and Leader of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Recep Tayyip Erdogan, gesticulates as he gives a speech during an AK Party group meeting at the party headquarters in Ankara, on January 26, 2018. /VCG Photo

While the YPG is still working closely with Washington against ISIL in Syria, Ankara views the YPG as a terror organization allied to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) inside Turkey.

The PKK is blacklisted by Ankara and its Western allies as a terror outfit.

Erdogan vowed in a speech in Ankara that Turkey would "continue our fight until there is no terrorist on our border," but did not elaborate.

He said the operation would last until "we reach our goals," adding: "Afterwards we will, as promised, clean up Manbij of terrorists."

A member of Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army police forces secures the road as they escort a convoy near Azaz, Syria, January 26, 2018. /VCG photo

Tensions between Ankara and Washington are already high but the offensive added further strain to their relationship. The two sides disagreed about the content of the telephone talks between Erdogan and US President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

Washington said Trump had urged Turkey to "limit its military actions" but a Turkish official said the US statement did "not accurately reflect the content" of the call.

Erdogan criticized Turkey's allies, including the United States, which he said called for the operation to be "short" and "limited" in scope, referring to previous interventions.

"How long has Afghanistan lasted? Nearly 20 years. How long has it lasted in Iraq? Nearly 18 years!" he thundered.

Washington has more than 2,000 special forces and support troops inside Syria, mainly east of the Euphrates in an area also controlled by the YPG but separate from Afrin, which is west of the river.

According to Anthony Skinner, director of MENA at global risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, "direct military conflict" between Turkish and US forces is possible because of Erdogan's threats to expand the campaign to Manbij.

"Turkish-US relations are teetering on the brink of a precipice," Skinner added.

Source(s): AFP