Kurdish militias in northern Syria: "The US forces have shown us that they do not value friendship"

Before a planned Turkish offensive against Kurdish militias in northern Syria, US President Donald Trump had decided to withdraw his troops from the Syrian-Turkish border area. The US allies on the ground, Kurdish militias and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), reacted furiously to the announcement. "The US forces on the ground have shown us that they do not appreciate friendship and alliance," said SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali on Monday on Twitter.

Bali accuses the US troops of not fulfilling their responsibilities - the area will turn into a "war zone" with their withdrawal, he warns. At least the people deserved an explanation. "But the SDF are determined to defend Northeast Syria at any cost." They can no longer count on the support of the Americans.

We are not expecting the US to protect NE #Syria. But people here are owed to an explanation regarding security mechanism deal, destruction of fortifications and failure of US to fulfill their commitments. @ CJTFOIR @ CENTCOM @ OIRSpox

Since 2017, US soldiers in the north of the Civil War have patrolled SDF allies, which are dominated by the Kurdish militia YPG. Ankara sees in the YPG the Syrian offshoot of the banned Kurdish workers' party PKK - the historical opponent.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long wanted to invade the so-called "terror corridor" under SDF control in northern Syria. He now wants to create a "security zone" there under sole Turkish control. There Erdogan also wants to accommodate millions of Syrian refugees who currently live in Turkey and Europe.

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Trump's Syria foray guarantee endless strife

After this massive criticism of the announced withdrawal of US troops from the Syrian-Turkish border region Trump said on Monday a threat to Ankara, but also raised questions. "If Turkey does anything that I consider taboo in my great and incomparable wisdom, I will completely destroy and annihilate the Turkish economy," Trump tweeted - without making it clear what he would consider a violation.

The Turkish foreign ministry said early Tuesday morning that they were ready for the announced military offensive in northern Syria.