WASHINGTON — The U.S. military says Turkey gave coalition forces less than an hour’s notice before striking Kurdish troops in Syria this week.
The United States says Turkey’s attacks potentially put Americans at risk.
Air Force Col. John Dorrian says Turkey’s warning to the coalition’s air operations center described a large area and wasn’t specific enough about timing and location to ensure the safety of American forces. Dorrian says U.S. troops were about six miles (10 kilometers) from the strikes.
Towns of Nothern Syria and Turkey.
Photo Credit: AP
Dorrian says the U.S. is concerned that Turkey didn’t coordinate the strikes with the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group.
Syrian officials say the attacks killed about 20 U.S.-allied Kurdish fighters who are members of the People’s Protection Units. Turkey considers them part of a terrorist group.
