US search for Syrian solution ignores Turks

Significance

He was denying a Syrian complaint to the UN that Turkish soldiers were among about 100 fighters allowed to cross into Syria on February 13. Turkish artillery has pounded targets across the border around Azaz, trying to dislodge Syrian Kurdish militants of the People's Protection Units (YPG). Turkey and its Saudi allies would intervene more forcefully in Syria if they could, but the costs of either ground or air operations look prohibitive.

Impacts

• Turkey will stick to its opposition to the Syrian ceasefire.
• This will open up a widening rift between Turkey and the United States.
• Turkey has set 'red lines' against further Syrian Kurdish advances, but is unclear how it might respond.