Turkey warns US to end support for YPG or risk confrontation

Turkey on Thursday warned the United States to halt its support for Kurdish YPG fighters or risk confronting Turkish forces in Syria. War???

The comments were made by Turkey's President, Tayyip Erdogan‘s government spokesman, a comment that underscore the growing bilateral tensions, six days after Turkey launched its air and ground operation, ‘Olive Branch’, in Syria’s north-western Afrin region.

According to report, any push by Turkish forces towards Manbij, part of a Kurdish-held territory some 100km east of Afrin, could threaten US plans to stabilise north-east Syria and bring them into direct confrontation with US troops deployed there.

Those who support the terrorist organisation will become a target in this battle,” Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said.

The United States needs to review its soldiers and elements giving support to terrorists on the ground in such a way as to avoid a confrontation with Turkey, Bozdag, who also acts as the government’s spokesman, told broadcaster A Haber.

The United States has around 2,000 troops in Syria, officially as part of an international, US-led coalition against Islamic State. Washington has angered Ankara by providing arms, training and air support to Syrian Kurdish forces that Turkey views as terrorists.