Turkey’s Syria move sets conditions for freeing Raqqa: US

WASHINGTON

Turkey establishing a buffer zone along its border is “extraordinarily helpful” in the fight against Daesh inside Syria, an anti-Daesh coalition spokesman said Thursday.

“ISIL's losing freedom of movement in this area improves security in Europe and around the world and severely impacts Daesh's ability to reinforce fighters in Syria and Iraq,” Air Force Col. John Dorrian told reporters via video conference from Baghdad.

Turkey’s move to build a security belt in northern Syria, along with coalition airstrikes “set conditions for the eventual liberation of Raqqa, the city that Daesh consider their capital,” Dorrian said.

The colonel addressed comments earlier in the day by the new commander of the U.S.-led coalition, Lieut. Gen. Stephen Townsend, who said the Raqqa offensive had been on hold due to a disagreement between Ankara and Washington because of the Pentagon’s support for the PYD/PKK’s military wing, the YPG. Dorrian said the coalition is working to ensure all forces fighting Daesh in Syria are deconflicted and have lines of coordination.

He avoided saying to what extent the disagreement exists between the two countries that halted the operation to recapture Raqqa where he believes there are about 1,000 Daesh fighters.

“Unity of focus on ISIL over the coming days and weeks is imperative,” he said, noting that there is a relatively calm atmosphere between the Turkish military and PYD/PKK elements in northern Syria thanks to coordination maintained by the U.S.

Turkey has rejected claims there has been coordination between its military and PYD/PKK elements as Ankara designates the groups terrorist organizations.

“The coordination is with the coalition and the Turkish military,” Dorrian said. “We believe the improved coordination of armed activities in northern Syria will improve the safety of our forces.”

He also said part of setting conditions for retaking Raqqa was to maintain deconfliction between all anti-Daesh forces as they move toward Raqqa.

“We're now working with the Turkish military and we're working with our SDF [Syrian Defense Forces] partners to come up with the game plan for the way ahead here,” he said referring to the Raqqa operation.

Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik told reporters in London that he told his American counterpart, Ash Carter, that the Raqqa operation should involve a coalition’s ground operation and noted Turkey’s support.

The minister also told Carter that it would be unacceptable to Turkey for PYD/PKK elements to gain territory around Raqqa by exploiting its participation in the offensive.

He also called for the Free Syrian Army to have a role in the Raqqa operation.

Dorrian said the role for Turkey and the Free Syrian Army in the Raqqa operation is discussed at a higher level but the coalition seeks “to have great partnerships with our ally Turkey” on the Raqqa operation.