Turkey uneasy about U.S. plan for observation posts on Syria border: minister

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters



NOVEMBER 24, 2018 / 6:27 AM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey is uneasy about U.S. plans to set up “observation posts” in Syria along parts of its border with Turkey, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Saturday.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Wednesday the United States was setting up the posts to help keep the focus on clearing the final Islamic State militant strongholds in Syria.

The United States has long complained that tension between Turkey and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - which includes the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia - has at times slowed progress on the fight against Islamic State.

Akar said he told U.S. Chief of Staff Joseph Dunford and other U.S. officials during a recent visit to Canada that setting up the posts would have a very negative impact on perceptions of the United States in Turkey.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-usa/turkey-uneasy-about-u-s-plan-for-observation-posts-on-syria-border-minister-idUSKCN1NT0D9

[watoos]

1. Who knows what we are doing,

but it isn't what they are telling us.