WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US decision to order its Kurdish allies in Syria out of the Euphrates River town of Jarablus before the arrival of Turkish tanks and troops reflected a bid to ease tensions with Turkey, a more important US ally, according to a report by the private intelligence firm Soufan Group on Thursday.
"Tensions have been at unprecedentedly high levels between the United States and Turkey since the failed coup on July 15," the report explained. "Vice President Biden made clear that the United States supported the Turkish push into Syria, framing it as a welcome addition in the fight against the Islamic State."
However, during Wednesday’s appearance with Turkish President Recep Erdogan, Biden publicly ordered Kurdish fighters to retreat from Jarablus to the eastern side of Euphrates or risk losing US support.
The Soufan report explained that Turkey views the Kurds in Syria "as a far greater threat than the Islamic State [Daesh]."
The advance of Kurdish troops beyond the west bank of the Euphrates River was a red line for Ankara, the report noted.
