Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Turkey Says it Will Launch New Syria Offensive Within Days

by Associated Press

   ANKARA --

   Turkey's president says it will begin a new military operation against
   U.S-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria ``within a few days.''

   Addressing a defense industry meeting in Ankara on Wednesday, Recep
   Tayyip Erdogan said the target of the operation would be the Syrian
   Kurdish militia known as the People's Protection Units, or YPG -- which
   Turkey views as a terrorist group linked to the insurgency within its
   borders.

   The YPG is the main component of a Kurdish-led militia that rolled back
   the Islamic State group with the help of the U.S.-led coalition. U.S.
   troops are deployed with the Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria, in
   part to prevent clashes with NATO ally Turkey.
   Turkish forces have already waged two cross-border campaigns against
   Syrian Kurdish forces, in 2016 and earlier this year.