The targets struck areas that Syrian Kurdish forces recently took over as they pressed a campaign to drive Daesh militants from areas north of Aleppo. The Syrian Kurdish forces have been a source of tension between Turkey and the United States. The official said Thursday, however, that since the Kurds who were targeted are affiliated with U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters, the Turkish attacks were problematic and have angered the U.S.-backed Kurds. In August, Turkey sent troops and tanks into northern Syria to help opposition forces drive Daesh away from Turkish-Syrian border areas and to curb the Syrian Kurdish forces’ territorial expansion. Kurdish forces are the main partner in such a fight, but Ankara has said it is ready to act without Kurdish participation.

Source: thestar October 20, 2016 22:21 UTC