ASSESSMENTS

In Syria, a Turkish Ally's Untimely Departure

Nov 21, 2016 | 10:15 GMT

In Syria, a Turkish Ally's Untimely Departure
Without U.S. support, Turkey and its Syrian rebel allies will be approaching battlegrounds in northern Syria, such as the loyalist offensive around Aleppo, alone.

(GEORGES OURFALIAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Summary

The battlefield in northern Syria just got more complicated. The U.S. military announced Nov. 16 that it has withdrawn its forces supporting the Turkish-backed rebel operation in northern Aleppo. As part of Operation Noble Lance, the United States had deployed special operations forces and air support to help with Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield. The U.S. withdrawal highlights the conflicting priorities between the United States and Turkey as well as the dangers that could await Turkey as its heads into the fight in northern Syria alone.

The battlefield in northern Syria just got more complicated. The U.S. military announced Nov. 16 that it has withdrawn its forces supporting the Turkish-backed rebel operation in northern Aleppo. As part of Operation Noble Lance, the United States had deployed special operations forces and air support to help with Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield. The U.S. withdrawal highlights the conflicting priorities between the United States and Turkey as well as the dangers that could await Turkey as its heads into the fight in northern Syria alone....

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