VEST. A joint counter-terrorism operation with the US and other allies was solved by the Kurdish militia of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as a result of Turkish bombing in northern Syria. The SDF militia is backed by the US and was instrumental in its defeat. Islamic State in Syria.

Turkey has stepped up its air and ground bombardment of northern Syria in recent weeks, with the Turkish military preparing for a ground invasion against Kurdish militants. The SDF has warned that defending against a new Turkish border incursion into northern Syria would jeopardize the security of a camp holding families of Islamic State fighters. Aram Hena, a spokesman for the SDF, told Reuters that “any coordinated or joint counter-terrorism operation with allied forces against Islamic State pockets in northern Syria, as well as all special missions, is suspended.”

Turkish bombing of Syrian territory caused discomfort in Washington. On Wednesday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar that the US “strongly opposes new Turkish military operations in Syria.” Mr. Austin added that “Turkish strikes directly threaten the safety of US personnel who are working with our local allies in Syria to defeat the Islamic State.”

“Harder Message”

The Kurdish militia is demanding an end to Turkish bombing and is seeking US assurances that Turkey will not invade northern Syria.

SDF chief Mazlum Abdi stressed earlier this week that the Syrian Kurds want a “harder signal” from Washington to Ankara, especially after the deployment of Turkish military reinforcements along the Syrian border in recent days. “We continue to worry. We need stronger and more substantial positions to stop Turkey. Ankara has announced its intentions and is watching the reaction. The invasion will depend on the reaction of the international community,” Abdi said.

The US-led coalition has been supporting the Kurdish SDF militia with military equipment and advisers since 2017, with US special forces members taking part in operations against the Islamic State. Turkish artillery shelling in late November disrupted the fighting in the Al-Hol district, where a large civilian camp for family members of Islamic State militants was located. The camp was often targeted by Islamic State militants who tried to free captured women and children.

Meanwhile, Syria is reportedly staunchly resisting Russian attempts to hold a summit meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan after more than a decade of hostile relations. Erdogan’s government is backing opposition fighters in an attempt to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has accused Turkey of supporting terrorism and radical Islamists.