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Added on the 23/05/2015 14:53:50 - Copyright : Reuters EN
US Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications, Ben Rhodes, warned Turkey against engaging with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), during the daily press briefing in Washington D.C. on Monday. Rhodes said that although the US support the Turkish effort to rid Jarablus of so-called Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) fighters, they do not however "support and we would oppose efforts to move south and engage in activities against" the SDF.
Surprisingly, USA ranks fourth on the list of countries showing support for ISIS on twitter.
The EU says that it is "alarmed by the alleged Israeli strike" on the Iranian consulate in Syria's Damascus and warns against any escalation after Tehran vowed revenge. "In this highly tense regional situation, it is really of an utmost importance to show restraint because the further escalation in the region is in no one's interests," EU spokesperson Peter Stano says. SOUNDBITE
During a state visit to Sweden, French President Emmnauel Macron urges Europe to take 'bold' decisions to support Ukraine, regardless of what the US decides. While the US has sent tens of billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Republican lawmakers are growing reluctant to keep supporting Kyiv, saying it lacks a clear end game as the fighting grinds on. SOUNDBITE
The United States announces sanctions on Iraqi low-cost airline Fly Baghdad, saying it provided assistance to Iran's Revolutionary Guards and proxies, while also targeting leaders of a pro-Iranian Iraq militia for sanctions. US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby tells reporters the sanctions are "designed to protect not only our financial system but our national security." SOUNDBITE