Erdogan: we will 'strangle' U.S.-backed force in Syria "before it's even born"

By Ellen Francis and Ezgi Erkoyun BEIRUT/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan threatened on Monday to "strangle" a planned 30,000-strong U.S.-backed force in Syria "before it's even born," as Washington's backing for Kurdish fighters drove a wedge into relations with one of its main Middle East allies. The United States announced its support on Sunday for plans for a "border force" to defend territory held by U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led fighters in northern Syria. The Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad responded on Monday by vowing to crush the new force and drive U.S. troops from the country.

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