Turkey masses tanks on the Syrian border as Erdogan ‘prepares to move against the Kurds’ after the US leaves – while outgoing Secretary of Defense James Mattis thanks troops for their service

Wednesday, December 26, 2018
By Paul Martin

Tanks and armoured vehicles are moving to Turkey’s southern border with Syria
Turkish foreign minister says forces will push into Syria ‘as soon as possible’
Erdogan has vowed to take over the fight against ISIS in Syria after Donald Trump announced that 2,000 American troops will leave the country
But Turkey will also likely target Kurdish forces which helped US fight ISIS
Comes as James Mattis, who announced his resignation over Trump’s troop withdrawal, sent out a Christmas message to those serving away from home

By CHRIS PLEASANCE
DAILYMAIL.COM
26 December 2018

Turkey has begun massing tanks and troop carriers on its southern border with Syria as it prepares to move into the country once American soldiers have left.

Erdogan’s forces were pictured arriving in border cities of Kilis and al-Rai after the country’s foreign minister said they will push into Syria as soon as possible.

It comes after Donald Trump announced that all 2,000 American troops will withdraw from the country and that Turkey will take over the fight against ISIS.

But Turkey is also likely to direct its attacks against Kurdish forces stationed in northern Syria which helped US troops in the battle against ISIS.

Turkey has carried out limited attacks against Kurdish positions in Afrin province, and has vowed to expand its operations to cover its entire southern border.

But plans stalled amid push-back from Washington that saw US relations with its NATO ally set in the deep freeze.

However, Trump has since tweeted that Turkey and America are planning to increase trade and strengthen ties as US troops begin a ‘low and highly coordinated’ withdrawal from Syria.

As part of the agreement, America will take back weapons it gave to the Kurdish forces during the fight with ISIS.

In return, Erdogan vowed to delay a military campaign against the Kurds, but on Tuesday foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu indicated it would go ahead as soon as practically possible.

According to the Guardian, he insisted that ‘if Turkey says it will enter [Syria], it will.’

The Rest…HERE

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