Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday the United States owes Turkey an explanation for saying it is supporting the creation of a border security force in northern Syria. "That entire situation has been misportrayed, misdescribed. Some people misspoke. We are not creating a border security force at all," he said aboard his aircraft taking him back to Washington from Canada, where he hosted a meeting on North Korea.
"I think it’s unfortunate that comments made by some left that impression," he said, without giving details. "That is not what we’re doing." He said Turkish officials had been told U.S. intentions were only "to ensure that local elements are providing security to liberated areas".
The U.S.-led coalition said on Sunday it was working with the SDF to set up a 30,000-strong force that would operate along the borders with Turkey and Iraq, as well as within Syria. On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan threatened to "strangle" the planned U.S.-backed force in Syria "before it's even born".
"We have ISIS still attacking in parts of northwest Syria and along the Euphrates valley, so this is just more training and trying to block ISIS from their escape routes," Tillerson told reporters. The Pentagon said in an earlier statement it was training "internally focused" militant in Syria.
'CLOSE COOPERATION'
Tillerson said of Turkey, "We understand why they reacted the way they did."
The United States regards as important Turkey’s concerns regarding Syria and needs Ankara’s cooperation in achieving a new future for the war-torn country, he said. "The United States hears and takes seriously the concerns of our NATO ally Turkey," Tillerson added. "We recognize the humanitarian contributions and military sacrifices Turkey has made toward defeating ISIS [Islamic State terror group], toward their support of millions of Syrian refugees and stabilizing the areas of Syria it has helped liberate."
Tillerson also said the United States "must have Turkey’s close cooperation" in order to achieve "a new future for Syria that ensures security for Syria’s neighbours."
HE SAYS TROOPS IN SYRIA TO COUNTER ASSAD
Tillerson, in a speech at Stanford University, said the U.S. would push for broader political changes in the Middle East country.
He called for "patience" on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's departure - the clearest indication yet of an acknowledgment that Russia and Iran have bolstered Assad and that he is unlikely to leave power immediately.
"A total withdrawal of American personnel at this time would restore Assad to continue his brutal treatment against his own people," Tillerson told an audience.
He also said the Trump administration was determined not to repeat President Barack Obama's mistake when he "withdrew" U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011. There are currently some 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria.
Tillerson illustrated how the U.S. would continue trying to isolate Assad's government even as the U.S. objective is "stabilization." Washington won't allow international reconstruction aid to flow to any part of Syria under Assad's control, he said. It will discourage countries from trading with his government.
"Instead, we will encourage international assistance to rebuild areas the global coalition and its local partners have liberated," Tillerson said, suggesting such an approach might pressure Assad to resign. "Once Assad is gone from power, the United States will gladly encourage the normalization of economic relationships between Syria and other nations."
