U.S.-backed allies have announced they will temporarily halt operations against the Islamic State in Syria, according to a new report.
CNN reported the pause comes as the Syrian Democratic Forces have been shelled by Turkey, which has also threatened a new military operation targeting the group. The nation claims part of the coalition, which contains both Kurdish and Arab fighters, is affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party, a separatist group the U.S. calls a terrorist organization.
“Turkish attacks in the north and ISIS attacks in the south against our troops had forced us to stop our current operation temporarily against ISIS in the last pocket of it,” the SDF said in a statement.
“We also call the international community to condemn the Turkish provocations in the safe areas in Syria, and we demand our partners in the International Coalition to show a clear attitude and stop Turkey from launching attacks on the region,” the statement read.
The SDF has been trying to oust ISIS from its last remaining territory in Syria through air and artillery strikes of command and control centers, weapons caches and vehicles.
Pentagon spokesman Cmdr. Sean Robertson told CNN that “the campaign against ISIS is not over and the fight remains very difficult.” The U.S. is working with both Turkey and the SDF to resolve the situation, he said.
