US forces in
Syria started pulling back Monday from
Turkish border areas, opening the way for Ankara's threatened military invasion and heightening fears of a jihadist resurgence.
The withdrawal from key positions along Syria's northern border came after the
White House said it would step aside to allow for a Turkish operation President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said could come at any moment.
The move marks a major shift in US policy, and effectively abandons the
Kurds, who were Washington's main ally in the years-old battle against the so-called
Islamic State group.