Trump threatens to 'obliterate' Turkey's economy over Syria attack

Tuesday, 8 October 2019 13:27

US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Turkey's economy if Ankara takes a planned military strike in Syria too far.

This comes after he ordered to pull out 50 American special forces troops from northeastern Syria, leaving the Kurdish-led partner forces vulnerable.

His decision had drawn severe criticism from Democrats and a rebuke from his fellow Republicans.

"As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I've done before!)" Trump tweeted.

His remarks met an angry response in Turkey as the nation completed preparations for the military operation.

More from International News

Landmark Myanmar Rohingya genocide case opens at UN's top court

A landmark case accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against minority Rohingya opened at the United Nations' top court on Monday.
Swiss court keeps bar owner in custody after deadly fire, SRF reports

A Swiss court ordered to keep in custody the co-owner of a bar in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana after a fire killed 40 people there on New Year's Day, Swiss broadcaster SRF reported on Monday.
Indian rocket launch loses control after liftoff in fresh blow to ISRO

An Indian rocket carrying 16 loads of equipment and experiments including an earth surveillance satellite went off track after liftoff on Monday in a fresh setback to the workhorse launch vehicle of the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Homeland Security to send hundreds more officers to Minnesota

The US Department of Homeland Security is sending "hundreds" more officers to Minnesota, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, after tens of thousands of people marched through Minneapolis to protest the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration agent.