Pentagon and an official from State Department commented on McClathchy story, in which, Turkey was accused of tipping off Al Qaida affiliated Al Nusra fighters about the movement of US trained New Syrian Forces (NSF). There are other serious accusations also present in the story here:
Here is Elissa Smith from Pentagon said (rest of the statement below), "We have seen no indications that Turkish officials alerted the Nusra Front to the movements of U.S. trained NSF forces."
And a State Department official sent this comment: "We have seen the press reports and have no information that would confirm this."
When asked about these comments to trusted Washington source, the source's reaction was "very weak denial. You can even call this "non-denial denial". Saying we haven't seen, or we haven't heard such information, and cannot confirm, is not much of endorsement for your ally."
One would think, in the face of such serious accusations, US would come out and dismiss the charges and call them "nonsense" etc. This is not the case here.
Pentagon Statement, sent by Cmdr. Elissa Smith, :
"We have seen no indications that Turkish officials alerted the Nusra Front to the movements of U.S. trained NSF forces.
Turkey is a NATO ally, close friend of the United States, and an important partner in the international Coalition against ISIL. Turkey, along with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan, host training for the Syria train and equip program. They have been providing critical and significant resources to this program and work closely with us at all levels to ensure its success. We continue to work with our Turkish counterparts and other regional partners on how to support the NSF in a manner that will best enable them to fight against ISIL. In addition, Turkey is a vital member of the Coalition against ISIL and contributes well beyond its role in the T&E program. The use of Turkish bases for U.S. strike and supporting aircraft has been a very important force multiplier and we expect it will be a complement our efforts to pressure ISIL on a number of fronts. Turkey continues to express a firm commitment to participating in Coalition counter-ISIL air operations. The United States and Turkey are currently finalizing technical details for Turkey's full inclusion in these Coalition operations. This includes integration into the Coalition's ATO (Air Tasking Order), which tracks, coordinates, and deconflicts all Coalition air operations. Beyond air operations, we continue our dialogue with Turkey to evaluate options on the most effective means of countering ISIL, including along on its borders, in a manner that promotes Turkey's security and regional stability."
A State Department official:
"We have seen the press reports and have no information that would confirm this.
Turkey is a NATO ally, close friend of the United States, and an important partner in the international Coalition against ISIL.
Turkey along with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan host training for the Syria train and equip program. They have been providing critical and significant resources to this program and work closely with us at all levels to ensure its success.
We continue to work with our Turkish counterparts and other regional partners on how to support the NSF into conditions which will best enable them to fight against ISIL.
In addition, Turkey is a vital member of the Coalition against ISIL and contributes well beyond its role in the T&E program. The use of Turkish bases for U.S. strike and supporting aircraft has been a very important force multiplier and we expect it will be a complement our efforts to pressure ISIL on a number of fronts.
Turkey continues to express a firm commitment to participating in Coalition counter-ISIL air operations. The United States and Turkey are currently finalizing technical details for Turkey's full inclusion in these Coalition operations. This includes integration into the Coalition's ATO (Air Tasking Order), which tracks, coordinates, and deconflicts all Coalition air operations.
Beyond air operations, we continue our dialogue with Turkey to evaluate options on the most effective means of countering ISIL, including along on its borders, in a manner that promotes Turkey's security and regional stability.
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