Syrian Kurds warned to withdraw east of Euphrates

Turkey has threatened further intervention in northern Syria unless Kurdish-led forces fully withdraw east of the River Euphrates within a week. On Wednesday, Turkish forces helped Syrian rebels take the border town of Jarablus from so-called Islamic State. Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said on Thursday the operation had two goals – to secure the […]

Turkey has threatened further intervention in northern Syria unless Kurdish-led forces fully withdraw east of the River Euphrates within a week.
On Wednesday, Turkish forces helped Syrian rebels take the border town of Jarablus from so-called Islamic State.
Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said on Thursday the operation had two goals – to secure the border area and ensure the Kurds “are not there”.
Ankara fears Kurdish gains in Syria will fuel an insurgency at home.
As Mr Isik spoke, a column of some 10 Turkish tanks and a similar number of armoured vehicles reportedly crossed the border near Jarablus.
It was not immediately clear if the deployment was aimed at securing the town or helping members of the rebel Free Syrian Army push further into IS-held territory.