Updated
The White House has said Turkey will soon invade
northern Syria, renewing fears of a slaughter of Kurdish fighters allied
with the US in a years-long campaign against Islamic State (IS).
Key points:
- The White House said US forces "will no longer be in the immediate area", though it's not clear if all troops are being withdrawn
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to invade northern Syria for months
- Fears persist for the safety of Kurdish fighters if the US was to leave Syria, as Donald Trump proposed last year
For months, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been threatening to launch a military assault on the Kurdish forces in northern Syria, many of whom his Government considers terrorists.
The Kurdish forces bore the brunt of the US-led campaign against IS militants, and Republicans and Democrats have warned that allowing the Turkish attack would send a troubling message to American allies across the globe.
US troops "will not support or be involved in the operation" and "will no longer be in the immediate area," in northern Syria, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in an unusual late-Sunday (local time) statement that was silent on the fate of the Kurds.
It was not clear whether that meant the US would be withdrawing its 1,000 or so troops completely from northern Syria.
The announcement came after a call between President Donald Trump and Mr Erdogan, the White House said.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the Government was in close consultation with allies regarding this development.
"The Australian Government urges restraint by all parties to the conflict in Syria, and calls for all to avoid escalatory actions that cause further instability and added risks of humanitarian suffering," Senator Payne said in a statement.
"Australia remains concerned for the welfare of Australians in Internally Displaced Persons camps in Syria and funds humanitarian agencies to deliver aid and support into the camps.
"As we have made clear, we will not put Australian officials, forces or our public in danger, so any repatriation will occur only if safe to do so.
In December, Mr Trump announced he was withdrawing American troops from Syria but was met with widespread condemnation for abandoning Kurdish allies to the Turkish assault.
The announcement prompted the resignation in protest of then-defence secretary Jim Mattis, and a coordinated effort by then-national security adviser John Bolton to try to protect the Kurds.
The White House statement on Sunday said Turkey would take custody of foreign fighters captured in the US-led campaign against IS, who have been held by the Kurdish forces supported by the US.
Mr Trump and ambassador James Jeffrey, the State Department envoy to the international coalition fighting IS, have said there were about 2,500 foreign fighters captured in the fight against IS that the US wants Europe to take.
Mr Trump has repeatedly demanded European countries, particularly France and Germany, take back their citizens who joined the militant organisation.
AP
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