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The Turkish airstrike in Iraq hit YPG and Peshmerga positions near Shingal where they protect a displaced person camp of Yezidis. The Yezidis are an ancient religious minority. The Peshmerga are the main Kurdish militia in Iraq. They are controlled by Kurdish regional government. At least five Peshmerga fighters, all followers of Barzani clan, were killed and several more wounded. The Barzani family holds all important position in Iraq's Kurdistan - president, premier, intelligence chief and several others. Its election mandate has long run out but it simply ignores the regional parliament and rules through force and bribes. The Barzani clan is allied with Turkey and the U.S. It allows the Turkish army to operate several bases within its area. The U.S. is operating from Erbil airport in the Iraqi-Kurdish area. The oil pumped from wells in the Kurdish area is sold by the Barzanis to Turkey. The Turkish hit on Barzani fighters is deeply embarrassing for them and may incite new protest against the Barzani' quasi dictatorship.
Comment: US Confirms Turkey's Airstrikes in Iraq Killed Kurdish Peshmerga Fighters
Turkey's not approved by the US-led anti-Daesh coalition led to the deaths of members of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, according to US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Turkey's uncoordinated airstrikes in Iraq and Syria led to the deaths of members of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner said during a conference call on Tuesday.
"These airstrikes were not approved by the coalition and led to the unfortunate loss of life of our partner forces in the fight against ISIS [Islamic State or Daesh, outlawed in Russia] that includes members of the Kurdish Peshmerga," Toner said.
On Tuesday, Turkey's General Staff confirmed that the country's jets struck Kurdish militias positioned in northern Syria and Iraq. It also stated that about 70 Kurdish fighters were killed as a result of the airstrikes.
Toner noted the United States directly expressed its concern to the government of Turkey, however, it Ankara continue to be a vital partner in the fight against the Daesh.
The United States is deeply concerned about Turkey conducting military action in Syria and Iraq without the anti-Daesh coalition's approval, Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner said during a conference call on Tuesday.
"We are very concerned, deeply concerned that Turkey conducted airstrikes earlier today in Northern Syria as well as Northern Iraq without proper coordination either with the United States or the broader coalition to defeat Daesh [outlawed in Russia]," Toner said.
The United States will also continue partnering with Kurdish forces on the ground in Syria, Toner added.
The YPK is training Yezidi self defense forces. This is against the Barzanis' interest who sees their monopoly force in the area endangered.
Turkey is a U.S. ally and the U.S. has several bases in Turkey which it uses to fight the Islamic State. The U.S. is also allied and operates with the YPG in Syria and the Peshmerga of the Barzani clan in Iraq. The airspace in east Syria and north-west Iraq supposedly under U.S. control. There will be some serious explaining to do why the U.S. did not prevent one of its allies from bombing its other allies. Did it agree to this Turkish attack? Either way U.S. operation in the area will experience new difficulties.
Turkey has also threatened to invade the Kurdish held areas in east-Syria at Tal Abjad to move onto Raqqa and thereby split the Kurdish held areas.
The primary winner of these Turkish operations is the Islamic State.
Comment: Turkey Cannot Fight PKK at Expense of Counter-Daesh Fight - US State Dept.
Turkey cannot fight the Kurdistan People's Party (PKK) at the expense of the regional fight to defeat the Islamic State, also known as Daesh (banned in Russia), acting US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner said in a briefing on Tuesday.
"We're also cognizant of the threat that the PKK poses to Turkey but again the point we made to Turkey and I'm making now is that Turkey cannot pursue that fight at the expense of our common fight against the terrorists that threaten us all," Toner told reporters.
The YPK is now likely to divert forces from the U.S. led attack on the Islamic State in Raqqa to protect against further Turkish adventures. The PKK within Turkey may restart its guerrilla campaign against the Turkish military. The Barzani clan will come under renewed pressure by Kurdish people in Iraq as well as by the Iraqi government to loosen its ties with Turkey. All sides will blame the U.S. and its operations against Syria and the Islamic State.
The whole mess in Syria and Iraq thus becomes even more complicated than it already was.
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