.@K24English reporter @LaurieMylroie "Yesterday, Turkey’s president again threatened Syria’s Kurds, & it has begun shelling Kurdish cities. In turn, the SDF (..) have announced today a temporary halt in their offensive against ISIS. What is your comment on this situation?" (1)
Deputy @statedeptspox Robert Palladino's answer: "Unilateral military strikes into northwest Syria by any party, particularly as American personnel may be present or in the vicinity, are of great concern to us (2)
Deputy @statedeptspox Robert Palladino's answer: Coordination and consultation between the United States and Turkey on issues of security concern is a better approach (3)
Deputy @statedeptspox spox: "We have been in touch with Turkey & Syria defense forces to emphasize the need to de-escalate the situation. Turkey is NATO ally and key partner in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and we are fully committed to our ally’s border security." (3)
.@K24English reporter @LaurieMylroie "And Erdogan also accused you of supporting, quote, “all terrorist organizations indiscriminately,” end quote, including ISIS. What’s your response to that?" (4)
Deputy @statedeptspox spox: "coordination and consultation with our Turkish ally on issues of security is the better approach. We have seen such cooperation with our – with Turkey in – with our Manbij roadmap" (5)
Deputy @statedeptspox spox: [Manbij] "It’s on schedule. It’s something that Secretary Pompeo and the foreign minister of Turkey agreed to. You can see American and Turkish forces actively training side by side" (6)
Deputy @statedeptspox spox: "Now, ISIS – that campaign is not over and that fight remains difficult. And our DoD colleagues are working closely with the SDF who are in the midst of an offensive operations against ISIS and we’re still committed to the Syria defense forces." (7)
Full transcript here on @StateDept website state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2… no video sadly [end]
