The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said a new offensive threatening Turkey in northern Syria would cause a humanitarian crisis and undermine its campaign against ISIS.
Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF), appealed to all parties to "prevent any new tragedies and support de-escalation," warning that a new offensive would lead to new waves of displacement in syria's 11-year conflict.
Turkey, which has launched four operations in northern Syria since 2016, has pledged a new military incursion against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), the main component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls large areas of northern Syria on the Turkish border.
Russia expressed concern, saying it hoped Turkey would "stop actions that could seriously deteriorate the already difficult situation in Syria."
A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told Interfax news agency that if Ankara launched an attack, it would directly violate Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and would escalate tensions.
Washington expressed concern, saying that any new attack would endanger U.S. forces with a presence in Syria and undermine regional stability. U.S. support for the SDF has long strained relations with its NATO ally Turkey.
During a visit to the Turkish town of Khatati near the Syrian border on Thursday, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations reiterated Washington's opposition to any military action.
"We have reached out to the Turkish government. We have indicated our opposition to any decision to take military action on the Syrian side of the border. We believe that nothing should be done that violates the ceasefire lines that already exist."
Any such action would not only increase suffering, but would also increase the number of displaced persons, including attempts by some to cross the border into Turkey.