BREAKING: Turkey announces beginning of attack into northern Syria border region following US president’s decision to pull US military forces out of the area.
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Kurdish-led SDF, a US military ally that US forces were ordered to withdraw from in northern Syria this week, says it is asking for US and US-led coalition forces to enforce a "no fly zone" as Turkey begins to carry out airstrikes in northern Syria.
BREAKING: Sen. Graham: "Pray for our Kurdish allies who have been shamelessly abandoned by the Trump admin. This move ensures the reemergence of ISIS ... I urge President Trump to change course while there is still time by going back to the safe zone concept that was working."
Turkish military: US, Russia, England, Germany, France and Italy, NATO and the UN were informed about the beginning of Turkey's attack into northern Syria at 7 a.m. ET.
SDF on Turkish attack in northern Syria: "Intensive bombardment by Turkish jets on military positions and civilians villages in Tal Abyad, Serê Kanye, Qamishlo and Ain Issa. According to initial reports there are casualties among civilian people."
German foreign minister: "We strongly condemn Turkish offensive in Northeast Syria. Turkey risks further destabilization of the region and ISIS resurgence. We call on Turkey to end the offensive and pursue its security interests peacefully."
Rep. Liz Cheney, a top Republican in the House, says it is "impossible to understand why President Trump is leaving America’s allies to be slaughtered and enabling the return of ISIS."
Sen. Van Hollen: "Turkey must pay a heavy price for attacking our Syrian Kurdish partners. Senators on both sides of the aisle won't support abandoning the one regional group most responsible for putting ISIS on its heels. Our bipartisan sanctions bill is being finalized now."
President Trump statement on Turkey military operation in northeastern Syria:
"This morning, Turkey, a NATO member, invaded Syria. The United States does not endorse this attack ... There are no American soldiers in the area."
"This morning, Turkey, a NATO member, invaded Syria. The United States does not endorse this attack ... There are no American soldiers in the area."
