An explanation came from the US for the photos that created a crisis on the Ankara-Washington line
Ankara-Washington relations, quiet recently, were strained by US Chief of Staff Mark Milley’s surprise visit to terrorists near the Turkey-Syria border in early March. After the visit, which provoked the reaction of Ankara, the US ambassador in Ankara, Jeff Flake, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Turkey’s discontent was transferred to Flake.
Milley, who met and received briefings with the Syrian Democratic Forces, whose backbone is made up of the PKK/YPG terror organizations, made a statement today after weeks. Milley said his visit to the terrorist organizations was “an absolutely necessary and routine visit.”
Milley’s visit had increased tension on the Ankara-Washington line.
Milley said the purpose of his visit was a routine visit to check on the special forces, assess their condition and protect the forces.
Recalling that there are about a thousand US troops in Syria, Milley said: “They are at risk. They are attacked from time to time by various actors in Syria with various ammunition. So I have to go check them out and make sure the mission is verified.”
Emphasizing that Turkey and the US have had a common interest for years, the US Chief of Staff said: “We have been there for years. Our common interest is the permanent defeat of ISIS. The caliphate was destroyed. But the remnants of the organization are still there. Of course it was something he had to do. “It is perfectly appropriate for a Chief of Staff to check on the condition of US forces, especially when they are in a position to be harmed,” he said.