US backs Turkey’s move in Syria as Russia complains

By Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON (AA) – Turkey’s ground operation in Syria in support of the Free Syrian Army is in Ankara’s national security interest, the State Department said Wednesday.

“Actions that we carry out against Daesh or ISIL in Syria is, we believe, in the national security interests of the United States and our allies and our partners,” agency spokesman Mark Toner said. “I think Turkey would also make the case, if I'm guessing, that it's also in their national security interest to protect and drive ISIL away from their border.”

The comments come amid complaints from Moscow about the expansion of the Turkey-led Operation Euphrates Shield along its border inside Syria.

The Russian foreign ministry expressed its concerns about the mission, noting that it is not sanctioned by the UN Security Council or was consented to by the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Turkey, as well as the U.S., has long said the government in Damascus has lost its legitimacy as it has killed more than 400,000 people, displacing nearly 10 million others, according to UN released numbers.

Russia’s concerns come just a few months after Moscow and Ankara mended strained ties after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet that entered Turkish air space along the Syrian border late last year.

The Turkish Armed Forces launched Operation Euphrates Shield on Aug. 24 to support Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters to clear Daesh from a 98-kilometer (60-mile) strip of territory along the southern Turkish border.

In less than two weeks the FSA supported by Turkish tanks, air cover and artillery cleared Daesh elements from Jarabulus to Cobanbey and Azaz, forming a security belt extending 3 - 5 kilometers inside Syrian territory.

According to Turkish military sources, the FSA fighters have liberated an area that is nearly 600 square kilometers (370 square miles) from PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists.

Toner confirmed that Secretary of State Jon Kerry spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov via telephone earlier Wednesday but he would not confirm reports that the two diplomats would meet later this week in Geneva to discuss a potential cease-fire in Syria.

“The secretary remains committed to continuing efforts to try and resolve the remaining or outstanding issues in order to reach an arrangement on Syria that will put in place a durable cease-fire -- cessation of hostilities; provide humanitarian access to all areas; and lead to a resumption of talks between parties in Geneva,” he said.