Turkey

Turkey has launched an offensive into north-eastern Syria, unleashing air strikes and artillery barrages aimed at US-backed Kurdish forces who control the region. Video footage showed civilians fleeing towns with columns of smoke rising in the background and jet trails visible in the sky. Activists and observers say at least seven civilians have been killed so far. Turkey’s offensive was triggered by a call between Donald Trump and Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on Sunday, in which the Turks claim Trump handed over leadership of the campaign against Isis in Syria to Ankara. The American president announced on Sunday night that US troops would withdraw from the region. On Wednesday, hours after the bombing had begun, Trump issued a statement mildly criticising the offensive aimed at Kurdish forces which for nearly five years fought alongside the US against Isis. “This morning, Turkey, a Nato member, invaded Syria. The United States does not endorse this … [Read more...] about Turkey unleashes airstrikes against Kurds in north-east Syria

Turkish-backed proxies leading a ground offensive on Kurdish-held border towns in north-eastern Syria have summarily executed nine civilians including a female politician, a human rights monitor has claimed. The civilians were shot dead on a highway after being taken from their cars by Turkish-backed militias who had crossed the border as the push into Syria deepened. The killings were captured on camera phones and the gruesome scenes have raised the spectre of ethnic bloodletting emerging five days into the Turkish offensive. Ankara’s proxies are Syrian Arabs from elsewhere in the country and their foes are Kurds with long ties to the territory. “The nine civilians were executed at different moments south of the town of Tel Abyad,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed. A Kurdish political leader, Hevrin Khalaf, and her driver were among those killed on Saturday, according to Kurdish forces. Handheld videos captured by the assassins widely distributed on … [Read more...] about Kurdish politician among nine civilians shot dead by pro-Turkey forces in Syria

The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is threatening to “open the gates” to allow Syrian refugees to leave Turkey for western countries unless a controversial “safe zone” inside Syria is established soon. Erdoğan’s comments come amid growing tension with Washington over delays in establishing the safe zone – first proposed by Donald Trump – not least over the fate of a key US-allied Kurdish militia, the YPG, which Ankara regards as a terrorist organisation. Ankara has been threatening to move its troops unilaterally into the safe zone unless progress is made. With Turkey hosting some 3.6 million Syrian refugees, Erdoğan’s threat raised the spectre of a surge of people into Europe that could dwarf even the recent migration crisis at its peak. The stark warning was delivered in remarks to officials of his ruling party, as humanitarian organisations warned that conditions in the besieged Syrian rebel enclave of Idlib … [Read more...] about Erdoğan: I’ll let Syrian refugees leave Turkey for west unless safe zone set up

Turkey deliberately fired artillery rounds near an observation post manned by U.S. soldiers in northern Syria possibly as part of an effort to push them further away from the border, according to American military officials. Army officials told The Washington Post on Saturday that they believe Turkey was 'bracketing' U.S. forces by firing on both sides of the observation post. Turkey claimed the shelling of the area was a mistake, but the Pentagon dismissed those statements, saying that the presence of U.S. forces in the area had been known for months. American military observers believe that Turkey may have been trying to send a message that it wanted the U.S. forces to leave the area while it continued its offensive against Kurdish positions near its border with Syria. 'We had been there for months, and it is the most clearly defined position in that entire area,' an American Army officer told the Post. This picture taken on October 12, 2019 from Turkey near the town of Suruc shows … [Read more...] about ‘They want us off the entire border region’: U.S. says Turkey ‘bracketed’ its troops by firing artillery shells within yards of base in northern Syria

Popeyes wants to bring their Cajun flavor into your home for Thanksgiving this year.  The fast food chain announced that it will offer a pre-cooked 13 to 16lb Cajun-Style Turkey for $39.99 this season.  Before you buy the bird, the turkey is hand-rubbed and infused with zesty Louisiana-style seasonings, slow-cooked and then flash-fried for a crispy skin.  But don't expect the same fast food service that you typically get from Popeyes.  The turkey is shipped on ice, so it will need to be thawed and then put into the oven for about two and half hours.   Popeyes announced that it will offer a pre-cooked 13 to 16lb Cajun-Style Turkey for $39.99 this season The turkey is hand-rubbed and infused with Louisiana-style seasonings, slow-cooked and then flash-fried for a crispy skin The turkeys will be sold at participating locations nationwide but consumers can pre-order through their local Popeyes over the phone or in person. Customers will need to preheat the … [Read more...] about Forget the chicken sandwich! Popeyes is bringing a $39.99 16lb Cajun turkey to the table for Thanksgiving with its famous Louisiana-style seasonings – but it arrives FROZEN