Turkey’s military actions in Syria a major threat to national security, regional stability and the fight against ISIS, according to the White House

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The White House has extended the national emergency regarding Syria, explicitly naming Turkey’s military offensive in northeast Syria as a significant threat to US national security and the fight against ISIS. The emergency, first declared in 2019, will continue for another year, according to Medya News.

The White House has explicitly cited Turkey’s military actions in northeast Syria as a major threat to US national security and foreign policy, as it announced the extension of the national emergency concerning Syria for another year. Initially declared on 14 October 2019, the emergency aims to address the “unusual and extraordinary threat” posed by the ongoing situation in Syria.

This latest move by the US comes after a crescendo of international and local outcry. Both within Turkey and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), there have been widespread protests and calls for intervention. Various international bodies and human rights organisations have also persistently urged for a halt to the military offensive, citing concerns over civilian safety and regional stability.

According to the notice, Turkey’s military offensive “undermines the campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), endangers civilians, and further threatens to undermine peace, security, and stability in the region.” This marks a significant shift, as the US administration directly implicates Turkey in contributing to regional instability and the persistence of ISIS.

The extension is in line with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act. The notice will be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to Congress, underscoring the US administration’s heightened concern about Turkey’s role in the volatile Syrian landscape and its broader implications for regional and international stability.

October 12, 2023

Dear Mr. Speaker pro tempore: (Dear Madam President:)

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13894 of October 14, 2019, with respect to the situation in and in relation to Syria, is to continue in effect beyond October 14, 2023.

The situation in and in relation to Syria, and in particular the actions by the Government of Turkey to conduct a military offensive into northeast Syria, undermines the campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, endangers civilians, and further threatens to undermine the peace, security, and stability in the region, and continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.

Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13894 with respect to the situation in and in relation to Syria.

Sincerely,
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

SOURCE: Medya News

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