(Washington) The United States announced Thursday that it had shot down a Turkish drone in Syria, believing that it represented a potential threat against American forces there, at the risk of souring relations between the two NATO allied countries.
This incident occurred at a time when Turkey is carrying out strikes against Kurdish targets in Syria following a suicide attack in Ankara claimed by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK, Turkish Kurdish), described as a “terrorist” group by Turkey and its Western allies.
U.S. forces saw drones carrying out strikes in northeast Syria Thursday morning, including some near Hasakah, about a kilometer from U.S. troops, Pentagon spokesman General Pat told reporters. Ryder.
A few hours later, a Turkish drone returned to that area, flying toward U.S. forces.
“American commanders considered that this drone, which was […] within 500 meters of US forces, posed a potential threat and US F-16 fighters then shot it down in self-defense,” he said.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by telephone with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Güler on Thursday evening, and called for “de-escalation in northern Syria”, according to a Pentagon press release.
PHOTO ALEX BRANDON, ASSOCIATED PRESS
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
He particularly insisted on “the importance of strictly respecting the protocols in force and communication through the usual channels from army to army”, adds the text.
According to a statement from the Turkish Defense Ministry, which did not refer to the incident, the two officials discussed “the latest developments in Syria” and “their close coordination in the region”, with the Turkish minister saying that “Turkey was ready for a joint fight with the United States against Daesh,” the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State (IS) group.
The United States deploys about 900 troops to Syria as part of the international community’s efforts to combat ISIS and frequently carries out attacks targeting the jihadists.
Turkey struck Kurdish positions and objectives again Thursday evening, including “PKK/YPG arms and ammunition depots” in northern Syria, Turkish media reported.
The YPG, or People’s Protection Units, are considered by Turkey to be an extension of the PKK. They fought alongside the United States and the Western coalition against the jihadists of the IS group.
Turkey has shot down Syrian and Russian planes in the past, while the United States recently accused Russian forces of “harassing” its planes over Syria.
In July, Washington said a Russian fighter jet dropped flares on top of a U.S. drone taking part in an anti-IS mission, damaging the propeller.