No US Intention to Create Syria/Turkey Border Force?
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)
Days earlier, Washington announced plans to create a 30,000-strong “Border Security Force (BSF)” in northern Syria - comprised of Kurdish YPG fighters and terrorists, a permanent occupying force.
The Pentagon and CIA are working with these elements on the phony pretext of combating ISIS they created and support.
The border force scheme is part of Washington’s longstanding plan to balkanize Syria, destroy its sovereignty, and replace Assad with a pro-Western puppet - putting the US sharply at odds with Russia, respecting the sovereign independence of all nations.
On Wednesday, Tillerson claimed Washington’s border force plan was “misportrayed, misdescribed. Some people misspoke. We are not creating a border security force at all,” adding:
“I think it’s unfortunate that comments made by some left that impression. That is not what we’re doing.”
His words rang hollow. Turkish Foreign Minister Melvut Cavusoglu dismissed them, disbelieving Tillerson, saying:
“The formation of a terrorist army along our border with Syria would cause irreversible damage to our ties with the US,” adding:
Washington didn’t keep its word on Manbij and Raqqa. His government’s mistrust of America’s agenda in Syria continues.
He called for concrete steps from the Trump administration to end cooperation with “terrorist groups” - ignoring Ankara’s complicity with them, supporting their aggression against Syria’s legitimate government and people.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim slammed Washington, saying “(o)ver the last three days, US officials have made statements that refute one another.”
“One day it was said that a new border force (will be) set up. Another day they said they are setting up a unit with local forces in order to maintain security in the region after eliminating” ISIS.
Turkey strongly opposes creation of a US Border Security Force, vowing a military operation to eliminate it - ready to begin any time.
Perhaps it began. Turkish forces mobilized along Syria’s border were placed on “highest level security” alert.
According to the state-run Anadolu (news) Agency, Turkish armed forces shelled Kurdish YPG fighters.
AMN news reported attacks by Turkish forces against Kurdish forces in southern Afrin Canton, aiming to cut their supply lines.
In an effort to ease tensions with Turkey, a Pentagon statement said it “continues to train local security forces in Syria. The training is designed to enhance security for displaced persons returning to their devastated communities,” adding:
“It is also essential so that ISIS cannot re-emerge in liberated and ungoverned areas. This is not a new ‘army’ or conventional ‘border guard’ force.”
Washington can never be trusted. It says one thing and does another. Turkey disbelieves its statements on Syria. So does Russia.
On Wednesday, US-created Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesman Mustafa Balli said Washington intends creating a new military structure in northern Syria, federalizing it under Kurdish control - part of the US plan to create a 30,000-force anti-Syria army in northern occupied territory.
Washington wants permanent control over the area, along with more territory in southern Syria bordering Iraq.
Damascus, Moscow and Ankara strongly oppose the scheme. Endless war continues. Syria’s liberating struggle is far from over.
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