US rules out confrontation with 'NATO member Turkey'

By Vakkas Dogantekin

ANKARA (AA) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said no one should expect U.S. forces to confront "NATO member Turkey" in northern Syria.

"Do people really think we should go to war with NATO member Turkey?" he asked rhetorically on Twitter and added: "Never ending wars will end".

Trump said the PKK/YPG terror group Turkey is fighting "may be releasing some [Daesh members] to get us [the U.S.] involved in Syria from where the U.S. administration wants to withdraw American troops.

"We are not going into another war between people," he said, referring to the fight between Turkey and the terror group PKK/YPG.

He also accused European countries, once again, of not living up to their responsibilities with Europe-origin Daesh terrorists.

Under pressure from U.S. lawmakers, Trump also warned Turkey of "big sanctions" looming ahead.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union -- has been responsible for deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.