WASHINGTON, April 25 (KUNA) -- The US Tuesday said it is "deeply concerned" that Turkey launched air strikes in northern Syria and northern Iraq without seeking the green light from the coalition against the so-called Islamic State (IS).
The strikes also took place "without proper coordination" with the Pentagon, State Department Acting Spokesperson Mark Toner told reporters.
"We have expressed those concerns to the government of Turkey directly," he said. "These air strikes were not approved by the coalition and led to the unfortunate loss of life of our partner forces in the fight against (IS) that includes members of the Kurdish Peshmerga." The Popular Protection Units (YPG), which is backed by the US, said it was targeted Tuesday, but Turkey maintains that it only targeted the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which it identifies as a terrorist group.
"I would also note the concerns expressed by the government of Iraq and reaffirm our view that military action in Iraq should respect Iraqi sovereignty," Toner affirmed.
"It is vital that Turkey and all partners in the effort to defeat (IS) coordinate their actions as closely as possible as we work together to maintain pressure to destroy (IS) on the battlefield, in order to ensure that we meet that goal, but also that we ensure the safety of all coalition personnel who are operating in that theater," he said. (end) ys.hb