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About 150 US trucks carrying weapons for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), including the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), reportedly started leaving Syria late on December 19 after the Trump administration announced the withdrawal of US troops.
According to Turkish media, about 150 trucks left Syria and entered Iraq at about 2100GMT. At least a part of the trucks was carrying heavy machinery and mine cleaners.
Turkey sees the US decision to withdraw from northern Syria as an opportunity to deal with Kurdish armed groups operating in this part of the country, which is in fact remains under control of the US-led coalition. So, Ankara is closely monitoring the current developments.
On December 20, Turkish Defense Ministry Hulusi Akar said that Turkey is “intensely” preparing for an operation against the YPG.
“We have Manbij and east of the Euphrates ahead of us right now. We’re working intensely in this regard,” Akar said during his visit to Turkish forces in Doha, Qatar’s capital.
Earlier reports appeared that about 15,000 members of pro-Turkish militant groups are ready to participate in the upcoming operation.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
- Pentagon & Senators Disagree With Trump’s Decision To Withdraw Troops From Syria: Reports
- Kurdish Official Comments On U.S. Troops Withdrawal From Syria: We Never Pinned Our Hopes On Foreign Forces
- Russian Diplomat: U.S. Troops’ Withdrawal From Syria Creates Prospect For Political Solution
- US Starts Troops Withdrawal From Syria, SDF Calls It “Stab In The Back”
