Despite
the fact that President Trump recently considered withdrawing U.S.
forces from Syria, the United States— along with its allies the
United Kingdom and France— are doubling down and expanding their
military presence in Northeastern Syria by establishing new military
bases near the town of Manbij. Reports of the bases first broke last
month, but were recently confirmed by Reuters. The bases are believed
to be part of a wider effort by the U.S./U.K./France coalition to aid
its military proxy force in Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
in its “resistance” to the Turkish government.
Turkey
has long maintained that the SDF, which is largely composed of
members of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), are
terrorists. The U.S. announcement earlier this year that they would
be using the SDF to build a “border force” subsequently led
Turkey to invade parts of Northern Syria previously controlled by the
SDF with help from its own proxy force in Syria, the Free Syrian Army
(FSA).
After
Turkey took control of Afrin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
announced that he was considering removing YPG/SDF forces from Manbij
as well, prompting the coalition forces to consolidate their
positions. With the coalition now beefing up its military presence to
prevent Turkey from encroaching further, Syria is set to become a new
sore point in Turkey’s relationship with NATO and the West.
According
to reports, the military bases are located throughout the Manbij
region, with the U.S. having at least two bases while the French are
constructing one. The U.K. does not have its own base, but its
soldiers are known to be present in the area and to work with U.S.
and French troops stationed in Manbij.
Full
report:
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