“This is a critical location because of the foreign fighter flow” from Europe and elsewhere, as well as helping stem the flow of fighters leaving Syria and Iraq.Īnother senior US official told CNN’s Barbara Starr the US assessment is that Turkey’s cross-border action is largely about trying to stop Kurdish action. The official said the campaign is “very significant.” There are no US boots on the ground in Jarablus, said the US official, adding, “We’ve been in communication with the Turks about the operation.” The United States believes the ISIS fighters in Jarablus number in the hundreds. Strikes were conducted against ISIS fighters and mortar positions, the official said. The fight includes US-trained fighters known as the Vetted Syrian Opposition and Turkish forces. The strikes were conducted using unmanned and manned aircraft, including A-10s and F-16s. Turkish artillery units and warplanes belonging to the US-led coalition also pounded Jarablus.Ī US defense official told CNN the anti-ISIS coalition has conducted eight airstrikes in support of the Jarablus operation.
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