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U.S. Blindsided by Turkish Offensive in Syria

(Wall Street Journal) Adam Entous, Gordon Lubold and Dion Nissenbaum - When Turkish ground forces attacked Islamic State fighters in Syria last week, the Pentagon hailed what it described as close U.S.-Turkish coordination. But the two countries weren't as aligned on the operation as their public statements indicated. Ankara pulled the trigger on the mission unilaterally without giving officials in Washington advance warning. When clashes started between Turkish and Syrian Kurdish fighters - who are directly backed by U.S. Special Forces - the Pentagon issued unusually blunt calls for both to stand down. U.S. officials say the Turks' decision undercut a behind-the-scenes effort to clear rival Syrian Kurdish elements out of the conflict zone first. Officials in Washington said they warned their Turkish military counterparts Monday that the U.S. won't provide air support to Turkish forces pushing southward, deeper into Syrian territory. The U.S. will continue to provide air support to Turkish forces moving westward into the border area threatened by Islamic State.
2016-08-30 00:00:00
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