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Trump to ‘devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds’ in Syria

Monday, 14 January 2019 2:23 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 14 January 2019 2:28 AM ]

US President Donald Trump and others listen to a prayer during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House January 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. (AFP photo)

US President Donald Trump has threatened to “devastate Turkey economically” if it attacks US backed Kurdish militants in Syria after US withdrawal.

"Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms," the president said on Twitter Sunday.

He further warned that he "will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," adding in a second tweet, "Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey."

PressTV-'Turkey won’t accept Israel’s YPG message given by Bolton'

Erdogan rebukes Washington's national security adviser for demanding that Turkey not harm Kurdish YPG fighters in northern Syria.

The US president also overstated the Washington’s alleged role in fighting the ISIL Takfiri terrorists in Syria.

"Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria - natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!" Trump said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan publicly lashed out at US national security adviser John Bolton last week.

US presence in Syria has had no approval from the Syrian government or a mandate from the United Nations.

PressTV-‘Turkey to launch Syria offensive if US delays pullout’

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Ankara will launch an offensive against Syrian Kurdish YPG forces if US troop withdrawal from Syria is delayed.

Trump announced via Twitter on December 19 that all American troops in Syria would be withdrawn from the Arab country.

He initially indicated that the withdrawal would be quick but has since stated that it would be "slow and coordinated" with allies.

Russia and Iran have been both assisting Syria in its counter-terrorism offensive and mediating, together with Turkey, a diplomatic process to help restore calm to the Arab country.

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