US says Turkish attacks in Iraq and Syria counterproductive, calls on “all sides” to de-escalate

WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a State Department press briefing on Monday, Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department Vedant Patel continued to provide rhetorical cover for Turkish drone strikes in northern Iraq and North and East Syria that have claimed the lives of tens of civilians.

While Patel stated that the US “do not greenlight or otherwise provide permission for Turkish operations” and “remain concerned about violence in northern Syria and the potential impact that this violence can have on civilian populations as well as the work that has been done thus far to ensure the lasting defeat of [the Islamic State]”, he still called on “all sides to maintain and respect ceasefires” despite administrative and military officials in North and East Syria repeatedly stating they will adhere to the ceasefire.

Commenting on the position of the United States regarding Turkey’s repeated attacks on North and East Syria, Co-Chair of the Syriac Union Party (SUP) Sanharib Barsom stated to Suroyo TV that, although somewhat light, the US statements are generally positive.

Barsom emphasized that Turkey’s relentless targeting of civilian leaders within the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as well as civilians in villages and towns near the line of contact between the SDF and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), like Tel Tamr in the Hasakah countryside, remains a serious cause for concern.

Barsom stated that US opposition to renewed Turkish ground offensives, like those in 2019 that saw the occupation of Rish Ayno (Ras al-Ayn / Serêkaniyê) and Tel Abyad (Girê Spî), is welcomed. Nonetheless, the current stance has yet to address the issue of Turkish drone and artillery bombardment in the region.

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Expressing optimism, Barsom said there is a discernibly positive shift in America’s active role, indicating a willingness to quell conflict and thwart Turkish incursions before they start. These concerted efforts aim to halt the perpetuation of regional instability, a circumstance that tends to be exploited by various actors, notably the Syrian regime and its Russian and Iranian allies.