Turkish forces are reportedly advancing on Kobanî after President Trump said he got assurances from Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that the Kurdish city would be off limits.
The city, located in northern Syria, is symbolically important to the Kurds who fought with the United States to destroy the Islamic State’s territorial caliphate. In one of the bloodiest battles in the fight against ISIS, Kobanî was recaptured from the group in 2015, according to Foreign Policy.
During remarks to reporters Monday, Vice President Mike Pence said that Erdoğan gave Trump a “firm commitment” that Turkey would not launch an offensive against the Kurdish-controlled city of Kobanî.
Sen. Lindsey Graham warned Turkey Wednesday about encroaching on the city, noting that he was on Trump’s Monday phone call with the Turkish president.
“I was part of a phone call yesterday between President Erdogan and President Trump where President Trump received a commitment from the President of Turkey to stay away from the Kobani area to prevent further escalation in Syria,” the South Carolina Republican said.
“If Turkey continues to move and take Kurdish areas around Kobani, I will take this as a breach of President Erdogan’s promise and a major escalation,” he added.
Graham was also present when Trump signed fresh sanctions targeting the country, which in addition to other punishments, will increase tariffs on Turkish steel from 25% to 50%.
