BEIRUT (AP) � The Latest developments following President Donald Trump’s decision to abandon Syrian Kurdish fighters ahead of an expected Turkish offensive into northeastern Syria (all times local):
Ěý Ěý8:15 p.m.
Ěý ĚýPresident Donald Trump says the U.S. does not endorse Turkey’s assault on northern Syria and has made it clear to Ankara that it’s incursion against Kurdish fighters who helped the U.S. battle the Islamic State is a "bad idea."
Ěý ĚýIn a statement Wednesday, Trump said no American soldiers are in the area being invaded. Earlier, Trump ordered U.S. forces out of the area, prompting criticism that he was abandoning an American ally.
Ěý ĚýTrump says he does not want the U.S. to fight "these endless, senseless wars."
Ěý ĚýHe says he will hold Turkey to its commitment to protect civilians and religious minorities, including Christians, and ensure the invasion does not create a humanitarian crisis. He also says Turkey must make sure that IS fighters held captive in Syria remain detained.
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Ěý Ěý8:05 p.m.
Ěý ĚýA U.S. defense official and a Kurdish official in Syria say the American-backed Syrian militia being attacked by Turkish forces has suspended operations against the Islamic State group.
Ěý ĚýThe militia, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, has been moving into position to contest the Turkish onslaught, which so far includes airstrikes and artillery barrages.
Ěý ĚýThe officials who confirmed the SDF suspension of operations against the Islamic State were not authorized to provide details on the unfolding situation and so spoke on condition of anonymity.
Ěý ĚýThe U.S. defense official said an incursion by Turkish ground forces had not yet begun but was expected soon.
Ěý Ěýâ€� By Robert Burns
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Ěý Ěý7:25 p.m.
Ěý ĚýEgypt has condemned Turkey’s military operation into northern Syria, calling it an "aggression" against Syria’s sovereignty.
Ěý ĚýEgypt’s Foreign Ministry in a statement Wednesday condemned "in the strongest words" the offensive and called for the U.N. Security Council to halt "any attempts to occupy Syrian territories . or change the demographics in northern Syria."
Ěý ĚýThe statement says Turkey’s attack is a "blatant aggression" against Syria’s sovereignty. It also calls for an emergency meeting of the Arab League.
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Ěý Ěý7:05 p.m.
Ěý ĚýA Syrian war monitor and a Kurdish activist collective say Turkish bombardment of northern Syria has killed at least one member of the Kurdish-led force.
Ěý ĚýThe Britain-based Syrian observatory for Human Rights said one fighter of the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces was killed and six others were wounded.
Ěý ĚýThe Rojava Information center, an activist collective in northeast Syria confirmed that an SDF fighter was killed in the border Syrian town of Ras al-Ayn.
Ěý ĚýTurkey began a military operation against Kurdish fighters Wednesday targeting areas in northeast Syria with airstrikes and artillery shelling.
Ěý ĚýThe SDF said in a statement that the Turkish airstrikes reached as deep as 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the border. It said 16 SDF positions were targeted.
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Ěý Ěý6:20 p.m.
Ěý ĚýGermany’s foreign minister is condemning Turkey’s offensive in northern Syria and called on Ankara to end the military action, saying it threatened "a further humanitarian catastrophe and further displacement of persons."
Ěý ĚýForeign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement Wednesday that "we condemn the Turkish offensive in the northeast of Syria in the strongest possible terms. "
Ěý ĚýHe said Turkey was running the risk that it would "further destabilize the region and strengthen IS," referring to the so-called Islamic State group.
Ěý ĚýMaas said that Syria needed stability after eight years of war and that the first step should be to summon a constitutional committee in the near future: "We call on Turkey to end its offensive and to pursue its security interests in a peaceful manner. "
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Ěý Ěý6:15 p.m.
Ěý ĚýThe secretary-general of NATO is urging Turkey not to "further destabilize the region" through its military action in northern Syria.
Ěý ĚýJens Stoltenberg told a news conference in Rome that Turkey, a NATO ally, "has legitimate security concerns," having suffered "horrendous terrorist attacks" and hosting thousands of refugees.
Ěý ĚýHe said NATO has been informed about Turkey’s ongoing operation in northern Syria. And he added `’it is important to avoid actions that may further destabilize the region, escalate tensions and cause more human suffering."
Ěý ĚýHe said Turkey should act with "restraint" and any action should be "proportionate."
Ěý ĚýStoltenberg will discuss the military action with Turkey’s leader on Friday in Istanbul.
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Ěý Ěý6 p.m.
Ěý ĚýTurkey’s state-run news agency says two mortar shells have been fired into a Turkish town, on the border with Syria. No one was hurt in the attack.
Ěý ĚýAnadolu Agency said shells hit the town of Ceylanpinar on Wednesday.
Ěý ĚýThey were fired from the Syrian Kurdish town of Ras al-Ayn, Anadolu reported, shortly after Turkey launched a military operation aiming to drive Syrian Kurdish forces away from Turkey’s border.
Ěý ĚýMeanwhile, Turkish authorities declared an area along the Turkish-Syrian border off-limits to civilians.
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Ěý Ěý5:35 p.m.
Ěý ĚýTurkey’s state-run news agency says Turkish artillery units are shelling suspected Syrian Kurdish forces targets across the border in the Syrian town of Tal Abyad.
Ěý ĚýAnadolu Agency said howitzers pounded the town Wednesday after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the start of a Turkish military operation against Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria. Turkey’s Defense Ministry said the offensive started at 4 p.m. (1300 GMT).
Ěý ĚýEarlier, Turkish television reports said Turkish jets were carrying out airstrikes on Syrian Kurdish positions in the town of Tal Abyad and showed smoke billowing from the targeted areas.
Ěý ĚýTurkey’s Foreign Ministry said ambassadors of the United Nations Security Council’s five permanent members, including U.S. ambassador David Satterfield, were being briefed on the operation.
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Ěý Ěý5:25 p.m.
Ěý ĚýA top European Union official is calling on Turkey to halt its military operation in northern Syria and is warning that the EU will not be paying to help Ankara set up any safe zone there.
Ěý ĚýSpeaking to EU lawmakers Wednesday, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: "I call on Turkey as well as on the other actors to act with restraint and to stop operations already, as we are speaking, underway."
Ěý ĚýWhile acknowledging that Turkey has security concerns on its border with Syria, Juncker says that "if the Turkish plan involves the creation of a so-called safe zone, don’t expect the European Union to pay for any of it."
Ěý ĚýThe EU is paying Turkey 6 billion euros ($6.6 billion) to help the country cope with almost 4 million Syrian refugees on its territory in exchange for stopping migrants leaving for Europe. But Ankara is seeking more money amid concerns that thousands of Syrians could soon cross its border
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Ěý Ěý4:35 p.m.
Ěý ĚýA spokesman for the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led force in northern Syria says Turkish warplanes have started targeting "civilian areas" in northern Syria.
Ěý ĚýMustafa Bali of the Syrian Democratic Forces says the airstrikes have caused "a huge panic among people of the region."
Ěý ĚýBali’s tweet on Wednesday afternoon came shortly after Turkish President Erdogan announced in a tweet that a Turkish military offensive into northeast Syria has started.
Ěý ĚýTurkey has been massing troops for days in preparation for an attack against Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria that Ankara considers a terrorist organization.
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Ěý Ěý4:30 p.m.
Ěý ĚýA U.S. official says the Turkish airstrikes in northeastern Syria are not coordinated with the U.S. military and are considered dangerous for the coalition forces and civilians in the area.
Ěý ĚýThe official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters.
Ěý ĚýTurkey’s President Erdogan announced airstrikes began in Kurdish-controlled areas of northeastern Syria on Wednesday.
Ěý Ěýâ€� By Sarah El Deeb.
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Ěý Ěý4:25 p.m.
Ěý ĚýTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that a Turkish military operation into Syria has started.
Ěý ĚýErdogan said on his official Twitter account Wednesday that the operation, named "Peace Spring," has begun. He said the operation aims to eradicate "the threat of terror" against Turkey.
Ěý ĚýEarlier, Turkish television reports said Turkish jets had bombed Syrian Kurdish positions across the border from Turkey.
Ěý ĚýTurkey had long threatened an attack on the Kurdish fighters whom Ankara considers to terrorists and an extention of
Ěý ĚýTrump agreed to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria and hand control to Turkey
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Ěý Ěý4:10 p.m.
Ěý ĚýPresident Donald Trump is defending his decision to pull back U.S. troops from northeastern Syria, citing a focus on the "BIG PICTURE!"
Ěý ĚýTrump tweets Wednesday that "GOING INTO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE WORST DECISION EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY!"
Ěý ĚýTrump says "stupid endless wars, for us, are ending!" and he is "slowly & carefully" bringing U.S. troops home.
Ěý ĚýBut the decision to leave Syrian Kurds â€� who supported the U.S. in the fight against Islamic State militants â€� vulnerable to a military onslaught from Turkey has been condemned by some of Trump’s staunchest Republican allies.
Ěý ĚýRepublican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday that such a move would be Trump’s "biggest mistake" as president.
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Ěý Ěý3:35 p.m.
Ěý ĚýThe U.S-backed Syrian Kurdish group is calling on Moscow to broker talks with the Syrian government in Damascus, in light of Turkey’s planned military invasion in northeastern Syria.
Ěý ĚýThe Syrian Kurdish-led administration says in a statement on Wednesday that it’s responding positively to calls from Moscow encouraging the Kurds and the Syrian government to settle their difference through talks.
Ěý ĚýA Syrian Kurdish official also says they have reached out to Damascus "and other parties" ahead of the anticipated Turkish operation.
Ěý ĚýThe official declined to provide details and said no agreement has been reached yet. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to reporters.
Ěý ĚýThe call for talks with Damascus reflect the Kurdish forcesâ€� desperate outreach after a partial U.S. pullback, leaving them exposed to Turkish attack.
Ěý Ěý–Sarah El Deeb in Beirut;
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Ěý Ěý3:05 p.m.
Ěý ĚýTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed his plans for an incursion into northeastern Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ěý ĚýErdogan’s office said the Turkish leader told his Russian counterpart in a phone call on Wednesday that Ankara’s planned military action in the region east of the Euphrates River "will contribute to the peace and stability" and also "pave the way for a political process" in Syria.
Ěý ĚýErdogan added that Ankara attached importance to the protection of rights and interests of the Syrian people and that Turkey "appreciated the constructive attitude" of Russia in the matter.
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Ěý Ěý2:40 p.m.
Ěý ĚýSyria’s Foreign Ministry has condemned plans by Turkey to invade northeastern Syria, calling it a "blatant violation" of international law and vowing to repel the incursion with all means.
Ěý ĚýThe ministry’s statement on Wednesday blamed some Kurdish groups for what is happening, saying they were used as a tool to help an alleged "American project."
Ěý ĚýIt said that Syria is ready to welcome back its "stray sons if they return to their senses," referring to the pro-U.S. Kurdish fighters
Ěý ĚýThe ministry says the announcements surrounding the planned invasion reflect Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s "hostile behavior" and Ankara’s expansionist ambitions in Syria.
Ěý ĚýTurkey has been massing troops along its border with Syria ahead of an imminent military operation against the Syrian Kurdish fighters.
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Ěý Ěý2:30 p.m.
Ěý ĚýTurkey’s foreign minister says his country will inform Syria, the United Nations and others about an expected Turkish incursion into northern Syria.
Ěý ĚýMevlut Cavusoglu claims the planned foray into the region is in line with international laws concerning Turkey’s right to defend itself. He spoke during a visit to Algeria on Wednesday.
Ěý ĚýCavusoglu says that Ankara "will provide information to the United States and other countries, including Syria, in line with international laws."
Ěý ĚýHe added that Turkey’s "only target are terrorists" in northeast Syria and that the incursion would be Ankara’s way to "contribute to Syria’s border integrity."
Ěý ĚýExpectations of a Turkish invasion rose after President Donald Trump on Sunday abruptly announced that American troops would step aside ahead of a Turkish push.
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Ěý Ěý2:25 p.m.
Ěý ĚýA spokesman for the Syrian Kurdish-led fighters says "all options are open" if Turkey invades northeastern Syria.
Ěý ĚýKino Gabriel, a spokesman for the U.S-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, said on Wednesday that the Kurdish-led fighters will use all their capabilities to fight back.
Ěý ĚýHe says the Kurdish forces are also leaving the door open for cooperation with the Syrian government or other regional powers to defend the area. He didn’t elaborate.
Ěý ĚýGabriel says that the Syrian Kurdish-led forces control about 30% of Syria. He says there are currently no contacts with the government side.
Ěý ĚýSyrian troops, backed by Russia and Iran, have presence to the south and west of the Kurdish-held territories.
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Ěý Ěý1 p.m.
Ěý ĚýThe head of the Arab League says he is alarmed at Turkey’s planned military offensive into northeastern Syria, against the Syrian Kurdish fighters there.
Ěý ĚýAhmed Aboul Gheit said in a statement on Wednesday that such an invasion would be a "blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and threatens Syria’s integrity."
Ěý ĚýHe added that Turkey’s planned incursion also threatens to inflame further conflicts in eastern and northern Syria, and "could allow for the revival" of the Islamic State group.
Ěý ĚýTurkey has been preparing for an attack on the Kurdish fighters in Syria whom Ankara considers terrorists allied with a Kurdish insurgency within Turkey.
Ěý ĚýThis came after President Donald Trump said earlier this week the U.S. would step aside for an expected Turkish attack on Syrian Kurdish fighters, who have fought alongside Americans for years.
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Ěý Ěý12:30 p.m.
Ěý ĚýTurkey’s defense minister says preparations for an expected Turkish incursion into Syria are continuing.
Ěý ĚýHulusi Akar made the comments on Wednesday, days after President Donald Trump abruptly announced that American troops would step aside to allow for a Turkish push into northeastern Syria.
Ěý ĚýTurkey has long threatened an attack on the Kurdish fighters in Syria whom Ankara considers terrorists allied with a Kurdish insurgency within Turkey
Ěý ĚýAkar told state-run Anadolu Agency: "Our efforts concerning the offensive are continuing, the deployment, the preparations are continuing."
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Ěý Ěý11:20 a.m.
Ěý ĚýIranian state television says the Islamic Republic has launched a surprise military drill with army special operations forces near the country’s border with Turkey.
Ěý ĚýThe exercise comes amid Iran’s opposition to Turkey’s planned invasion of northern Syria against Syrian Kurdish fighters there. The Syrian Kurds were U.S. allies in the war against the Islamic State group.
Ěý ĚýThe sudden Iranian drill was announced on Wednesday. The TV report says it’s overseen by Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of Iran’s army.
Ěý ĚýHowever, the state TV didn’t mention the expected Turkish operation nor elaborate on the number of troops taking part in the drill in Qushchi in Iran’s Western Azerbaijan province. The area is about 620 kilometers, or 385 miles, northwest of Tehran.
Ěý ĚýIran and Russia are both key allies of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s long-embattled government. Both have troops on the ground in Syria. While they may publicly oppose a Turkish incursion into Syria, they probably don’t mind an operation that diminishes the Kurdish forces.
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Ěý Ěý11:10 a.m.
Ěý ĚýRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is accusing the United States of playing "very dangerous games" with the Syrian Kurds, whose fighters were top U.S. allies in the war against the Islamic State group in Syria.
Ěý ĚýLavrov said during a visit to Kazakhstan on Wednesday that the U.S. first propped up the Syrian Kurdish "quasi state" in northeastern Syria and is now withdrawing its support.
Ěý ĚýHe says that "such reckless attitude to this highly sensitive subject can set fire to the entire region, and we have to avoid it at any cost." Russian news agencies carried Lavrov’s comments and reported that Moscow has communicated that position Washington.
Ěý ĚýLavrov didn’t directly address the issue of Turkey’s anticipated invasion into northeastern Syria but said that Moscow is encouraging the Kurds and the Syrian government to settle their difference through talks.
Ěý ĚýThe top Russian diplomat stressed that both Damascus and the Syrian Kurds have said they are "open to dialogue, and we will do our best to help launch talks on this subject."
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Ěý Ěý10:30 a.m.
Ěý ĚýThe Kurdish-led civilian administration in northeastern Syria has issued a "general mobilization" call along the border with Turkey, as Ankara masses troops ahead of an imminent invasion.
Ěý ĚýThe local authority, known as the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, says: "We call upon our people, of all ethnic groups, to move toward areas close to the border with Turkey to carry out acts of resistance during this sensitive historical time."
Ěý ĚýIt also called on the international community to live up to its responsibilities as "a humanitarian catastrophe might befall our people" in northeastern Syria.
Ěý ĚýTurkey has been preparing for an attack on the Kurdish fighters in Syria whom Ankara considers terrorists allied with a Kurdish insurgency within Turkey.
Ěý ĚýPresident Donald Trump on Sunday abruptly announced American troops would step aside ahead of the Turkish push â€� a shift in U.S. policy that essentially abandoned the Syrian Kurds, longtime U.S. allies in the fight against the Islamic State group.
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Ěý Ěý9:40 a.m.
Ěý ĚýA top Turkish official says Turkey’s military will "shortly" cross into Syria together with allied Syrian rebel forces after President Donald Trump announced U.S. troops would withdraw from the area.
Ěý ĚýFahrettin Altun, the Turkish presidency’s communications director, called on the international community in a Washington Post op-ed on Wednesday "to rally" behind Ankara.
Ěý ĚýAltun says Turkey seeks to "neutralize" Syrian Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria and to "liberate the local population from the yoke of the armed thugs."
Ěý ĚýHe wrote: "The Turkish military, together with the Free Syrian Army, will cross the Turkish-Syrian border shortly."
Ěý ĚýTurkey considers the Syrian Kurdish fighters, allied with American forces in the fight against IS, as terrorists linked to outlawed Kurdish rebels within Turkey.
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Ěý Ěý9:30 a.m.
Ěý ĚýA U.S.-backed force and two Syrian activist groups say Islamic State militants have carried out an attack in the city of Raqqa in northern Syria.
Ěý ĚýThe early Wednesday attack targeted a post of the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa, which was once the extremistsâ€� de facto capital.
Ěý ĚýThe attack comes as Turkey is expected to launch an offensive against the Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria.
Ěý ĚýThe Kurdish fighters say IS launched three suicide attacks against its positions in Raqqa. There was no word on casualties.
Ěý ĚýRaqqa is being Silently Slaughtered, an activist collective, reported an exchange of fire and a blast.
Ěý ĚýThe Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitoring group, says the attack involved two IS fighters who engaged in a shootout before blowing themselves up.
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