Trump threatens to ‘destroy’ Turkish economy over troops’ withdrawal from Syria

United States President, Donald Trump, has threatened to destroy Turkey’s economy if the country goes “off-limits” following his surprise decision to pull American forces out of north-eastern Syria.

In a series of angry tweets, Trump defended his move, which could open the way for Turkey to launch an attack on Kurdish fighters across the border.

The BBC reports that the withdrawal was heavily criticised even by Trump’s Republican allies.

Kurdish forces were key U.S allies in defeating the Islamic State in Syria.

• READ ALSO: Trump is grabbing headlines. Why Africa can’t afford to be distracted

But Turkey regards the Kurdish militias, which dominate the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as terrorists.

The US has some 1,000 troops across Syria, but only about two dozen had been pulled out from the border area, according to a senior state department official.

Trump initially tweeted on Monday he had been elected on “getting out of these ridiculous endless wars” and that “Turkey, Europe, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Russia, and the Kurds will now have to figure the situation out.”

 

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now