Turkey masses tanks on the Syrian border as Erdogan 'prepares to move against the Kurds' after the US leaves
By Chris Pleasance
Daily Mail
December 26, 2018
Turkey has begun massing tanks and troop carriers on its southern border with Syria as it prepares to move into the country once American soldiers have left.
Erdogan's forces were pictured arriving in border cities of Kilis and al-Rai after the country's foreign minister said they will push into Syria as soon as possible.
It comes after Donald Trump announced that all 2,000 American troops will withdraw from the country and that Turkey will take over the fight against ISIS.
But Turkey is also likely to direct its attacks against Kurdish forces stationed in northern Syria which helped US troops in the battle against ISIS.
Turkey has carried out limited attacks against Kurdish positions in Afrin province, and has vowed to expand its operations to cover its entire southern border.
But plans stalled amid push-back from Washington that saw US relations with its NATO ally set in the deep freeze.
However, Trump has since tweeted that Turkey and America are planning to increase trade and strengthen ties as US troops begin a 'low and highly coordinated' withdrawal from Syria.
As part of the agreement, America will take back weapons it gave to the Kurdish forces during the fight with ISIS.
In return, Erdogan vowed to delay a military campaign against the Kurds, but on Tuesday foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu indicated it would go ahead as soon as practically possible.
According to the Guardian, he insisted that 'if Turkey says it will enter [Syria], it will.'
EDITOR’S NOTE: Shame on Trump for taking back the weapons we gave to the Kurdish forces during the fight with ISIS. That will leave the Kurds practically defenseless against the military might of Erdogan’s army.
No wonder Erdogan has now invited his buddy Trump to visit him in Turkey.
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