The Trump Administration says the US will not partner with Turkey in creating a so-called safe zone in northern Syria. Ankara was clearly irked in recent days after a September 30 deadline for a decision on the matter came and went. Turkey, which shares a long border with war-torn Syria, is wary that internally displaced Syrians will come to it seeking refuge if fighting goes on there, thus adding to the burdens imposed by over 3 million who already have crossed the border. In addition, a militia of local Kurds aligned against Syrian President Bashar Assad and viewed by Ankara as an ally of outlawed Kurdish groups in Turkey is based in the area. As the militia is backed by the US, Turkey was hoping for coordination on the matter beyond occasional joint ground and air patrols with American forces. With the latest word from Washington, it looks like Ankara has been given a tacit green light to begin an offensive.
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