Raymond Thomas

Turkey’s generosity during the coronavirus crisis must be acknowledged

Turkey has come to the aid of several nations without letting politics and previous mistreatment get in the way of their goodwill.

US special envoy visits Turkey to 'address Ankara's security concerns'

The US State Department's special envoy to Syria, James Jeffrey, will lead a delegation to meet Turkish officials to discussTurkey's security concerns in Syria following the US withdrawal from the country.

US says it will not support the YPG in Syria's Afrin

Meanwhile, NATO says it places a great emphasis on Turkey's security as the country is one of the most prominent members of the bloc.

US-backed SDF releases 400 Daesh militants, including commanders

More than 120 Daesh militants join the SDF group in Deir Ezzor, UK-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory For Human Rights reported on Wednesday.

Ankara summons US charge d’affaires over support for YPG

Turkish Foreign Ministry expresses its concerns about training and providing weapons to YPG militants in Syria.

PKK-affiliated YPG creating a 'conventional army' in northern Syria

Around 400 militants "trained by US as border guards" are to establish what they call "The North Army" in Syria, seen as the latest move in an attempt to create a conventional army.

Trump's hyper-militarism flies in the face of his 'America First' doctrine

Despite US President Donald Trump's proclamations that the country will be stepping back from its role of policing the world, the US global military footprint under Trump is escalating at an alarming level.

SDF ex-spokesman details US interaction with both PKK and Daesh in Syria

Talal Silo, a former spokesperson of the SDF in Syria who recently defected and came to Turkey says the United States gave the approval to evacuate of Daesh militants in three different cases in Syria, including the evacuation of Raqqa.

Reaching its limits in Syria, what is the next move for the SDF?

The SDF was formed and backed by the US to drive Daesh out of northern Syria. However, the group has strived for permanent presence in the region. With Daesh virtually erased from Syria, the SDF militia looks instead towards regional autonomy.

Civilians in northern Syria report systematic attacks by SDF

Human right groups recently accused the YPG dominated SDF of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions and ethnic cleansing.

Turkey sceptical of US intentions in northern Syria

The US alliance with Russia over an amplified Kurdish political and military presence in the Middle East has alienated longtime NATO ally Turkey and top Turkish officials fear a new map is being "drawn."

PYD attack kills three civilians in Aleppo

Another two civilians, including a child, were killed and 20 others wounded in regime attacks carried out in East Ghouta neighbourhood of Damascus.