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Post: Turkish attacks on oil installations in northern Syria

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Turkish drones are targeting key oil installations controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeast Syria, three local sources said, in airstrikes strongly condemned by the United States.

The SDF said dozens, including 11 fighters, were killed in the attacks and that it was the first time Turkey had systematically attacked oil fields in SDF-controlled territory.

Turkish warplanes launched attacks on Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) bases in northern Syria over the weekend, prompting retaliatory strikes along the Syrian border.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, a U.S. partner in the fight against Islamic State, said Turkey had advanced deeper into Syrian territory than in previous operations. The statement said 15 civilians and 25 soldiers from Syrian government forces were killed in the attack.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to expand the operation, saying Ankara will launch a ground invasion when deemed necessary.

The SDF said in a statement: “The enemy intends to carry out major attacks against our defense forces, especially our leaders and command centers… In this way, it paves the way for a ground attack.”

Since 2016, Ankara has entered Syria three times, targeting Kurdish armed groups.

Revenge

Turkey launched the airstrikes in response to a deadly bombing in Istanbul on Nov. 13, pointing the finger at the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which runs the SDF. Ankara views the YPG as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

No one claimed responsibility for the blast, and the PKK and People’s Protection Units denied involvement.

Three sources in the Syrian cities of Qamishli and Hasakah said Turkish drones hit oil installations near Qamishli on Wednesday night and also in the oil-rich district of Rmeilan, near which US forces are stationed.

Sources in contact with the Syrian Democratic Forces said Turkey had also stepped up drone strikes in the heart of urban areas, targeting high-ranking members of the People’s Protection Units.

The Pentagon has said the Turkish air strikes threaten the safety of US military personnel and that the escalation is undoing years of progress against Islamic State in the region.

The United States has about 900 troops in Syria, most working with the SDF in the northeast.

When asked about the Pentagon’s comment, a Turkish Defense Ministry source said Ankara was “selecting its targets carefully” and was in close contact with its American counterparts. According to the source, oil fields were not among Ankara’s targets.

Turkey, the United States and the European Union consider the PKK a terrorist organization. US support for the SDF has been a major source of tension with NATO ally Turkey for years.

Source: EuroNews

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