This content is not available in your region
Middle East

Syrian SDF says a Turkish attack would prevent it fighting IS

Access to the comments Comments
By Reuters
Syrian SDF says a Turkish attack would prevent it fighting IS
FILE PHOTO: Syrian Democratic Forces and U.S. troops are seen during a patrol near Turkish border in Hasakah, Syria November 4, 2018. REUTERS/Rodi Said/File Photo   -   Copyright  Rodi Said(Reuters)

BEIRUT (Reuters) – The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces would have to withdraw fighters from the battle against the militant group Islamic State to protect its borders in the event of a Turkish attack, spokesman Mustafa Bali told Reuters on Friday.

“Fighting terrorism will be difficult because our forces will be forced to withdraw from the Deir el-Zor front to take up positions on the border with Turkey to stop an eventual attack,” Elham Ahmed, the co-chair of the SDF’s political wing, said in Paris.

(Reporting by Rodi Said in Syria and John Irish in Paris; Writing by Dahlia Nehme in Beirut; Editing by Kevin Liffey)