With the offensive against IS winding down, the coalition and its allies in the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance were beginning to shift their focus to border security, coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon told AFP.

“There is a goal of a final force of approximately 30,000,” about half of whom would be retrained SDF fighters, he said.

“There are approximately 230 individuals that are training right now in the border security force. That’s an inaugural class,” Dillon said.

Backed by the US-led coalition’s air strikes, special forces advisers, and weapons, the SDF has ousted IS from swathes of northeastern Syria.

Its Kurdish and Arab members now control territory bordering Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east and Syrian government forces to the west.

Turkey reacted sharply to news of the border force on Sunday, saying it would “legitimise a terror organisation”.

Ankara is fiercely opposed to the SDF, which is dominated by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) — considered by the Turkish government to be a “terrorist” group.

“Rather than end its support to the PYD-YPG, these steps taken to legitimise a terror organisation and to make it permanent in the region are worrying,” said Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Accepting this state of affairs is absolutely not possible,” Kalin added.

Top SDF media official Mustefa Bali confirmed the creation of the border force, and said training had already begun.

“We are transitioning to a new phase of coordination between us and the international coalition,” Bali told AFP.

“The wide areas and cities that were liberated need someone to protect them.”

Bali said the new units would be deployed along the Turkish border and adjacent to territory held by Syrian troops, but did not immediately respond to a question on rules of engagement in those areas.

Turkey has often targeted YPG positions in northern Syria and on Sunday, Erdogan threatened to attack the Kurdish-held area of Afrin in northern Syria “in the days ahead”.

The SDF’s relationship with regime forces is less tense.

Since last year, a “de-confliction line” cutting diagonally across eastern Syria has largely kept the two forces from clashing.

There was no immediate reaction from the Syrian government to the border force announcement.

The coalition declined to comment on possible military protocol when it came to Turkish or regime troops.

Dillon said the force was primarily part of a broader strategy to “prevent the resurgence of IS”.

“With the fight against IS, as the remaining pocket continues to go away, we know that doesn’t mean the end of Daesh,” he told AFP, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

“We’ll have to make sure that there is security that can be maintained,” he said.

Dillon said SDF troops in Syria’s east were already coordinating with Iraqi forces across the border to target any “transient movement” by IS fighters between the two countries.</s>The US-led coalition fighting the group said on Sunday it was working to create a 30,000-strong border security force in northern Syria, drawing sharp condemnation from Turkey. With the offensive against IS winding down, the coalition and its allies in the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance were beginning to shift their focus to border security, coalition spokesman Colonel told AFP. "There is a goal of a final force of approximately 30,000," about half of whom would be retrained fighters, he said. "There are approximately 230 individuals that are training right now in the border security force.

That's an inaugural class," Dillon said. Backed by the US-led coalition's air strikes, special forces advisers, and weapons, the has ousted IS from swathes of northeastern Syria. Its Kurdish and Arab members now control territory bordering Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east and forces to the west. Turkey reacted sharply to news of the border force on Sunday, saying it would "legitimise a terror organisation". Ankara is fiercely opposed to the SDF, which is dominated by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) - considered by the to be a "terrorist" group. "Rather than end its support to the PYD-YPG, these steps taken to legitimise a terror organisation and to make it permanent in the region are worrying," said Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Turkish President "Accepting this state of affairs is absolutely not possible," Kalin added. Top media official Mustefa Bali confirmed the creation of the border force and said training had already begun. "We are transitioning to a new phase of coordination between us and the coalition," Bali told AFP. "The wide areas and cities that were liberated need someone to protect them." Bali said the new units would be deployed along the Turkish border and adjacent to territory held by Syrian troops but did not immediately respond to a question on rules of engagement in those areas. Turkey has often targeted YPG positions in northern Syria and, on Sunday, Erdogan threatened to attack the Kurdish-held area of Afrin in northern Syria "in the days ahead". The SDF's relationship with regime forces is less tense. Since last year, a "de-confliction line" cutting diagonally across eastern Syria has largely kept the two forces from clashing. There was no immediate reaction from the to the border force announcement. The coalition declined to comment on possible military protocol when it came to Turkish or regime troops. Dillon said the force was primarily part of a broader strategy to "prevent the resurgence of IS". "With the fight against IS, as the remaining pocket continues to go away, we know that doesn't mean the end of Daesh," he told AFP, using the Arabic acronym for IS. "We'll have to make sure that there is security that can be maintained," he said. Dillon said troops in Syria's east were already coordinating with Iraqi forces across the border to target any "transient movement" by IS fighters between the two countries.</s>The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group said on Sunday it was working to create a 30,000-strong border security force in northern Syria, drawing sharp condemnation from Turkey.

With the offensive against IS winding down, the coalition and its allies in the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance were beginning to shift their focus to border security, coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon told AFP.

"There is a goal of a final force of approximately 30,000," about half of whom would be retrained SDF fighters, he said.

"There are approximately 230 individuals that are training right now in the border security force. That's an inaugural class," Dillon said.

Backed by the US-led coalition's air strikes, special forces advisers, and weapons, the SDF has ousted IS from swathes of northeastern Syria.

Its Kurdish and Arab members now control territory bordering Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east and Syrian government forces to the west.

Turkey reacted sharply to news of the border force on Sunday, saying it would "legitimise a terror organisation".

Ankara is fiercely opposed to the SDF, which is dominated by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) -- considered by the Turkish government to be a "terrorist" group.

"Rather than end its support to the PYD-YPG, these steps taken to legitimise a terror organisation and to make it permanent in the region are worrying," said Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Accepting this state of affairs is absolutely not possible," Kalin added.

Top SDF media official Mustefa Bali confirmed the creation of the border force, and said training had already begun.

"We are transitioning to a new phase of coordination between us and the international coalition," Bali told AFP.

"The wide areas and cities that were liberated need someone to protect them."

Bali said the new units would be deployed along the Turkish border and adjacent to territory held by Syrian troops, but did not immediately respond to a question on rules of engagement in those areas.

Turkey has often targeted YPG positions in northern Syria and on Sunday, Erdogan threatened to attack the Kurdish-held area of Afrin in northern Syria "in the days ahead".

The SDF's relationship with regime forces is less tense.

Since last year, a "de-confliction line" cutting diagonally across eastern Syria has largely kept the two forces from clashing.

There was no immediate reaction from the Syrian government to the border force announcement.

The coalition declined to comment on possible military protocol when it came to Turkish or regime troops.

Dillon said the force was primarily part of a broader strategy to "prevent the resurgence of IS".

"With the fight against IS, as the remaining pocket continues to go away, we know that doesn't mean the end of Daesh," he told AFP, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

"We'll have to make sure that there is security that can be maintained," he said.

Dillon said SDF troops in Syria's east were already coordinating with Iraqi forces across the border to target any "transient movement" by IS fighters between the two countries.</s>The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group said on Sunday it was working to create a 30,000-strong border security force in northern Syria, drawing sharp condemnation from Turkey.

With the offensive against IS winding down, the coalition and its allies in the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance were beginning to shift their focus to border security, coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon told AFP.

“There is a goal of a final force of approximately 30,000,” about half of whom would be retrained SDF fighters, he said.

“There are approximately 230 individuals that are training right now in the border security force. That’s an inaugural class,” Dillon said.

Backed by the US-led coalition’s air strikes, special forces advisers, and weapons, the SDF has ousted IS from swathes of northeastern Syria.

Its Kurdish and Arab members now control territory bordering Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east and Syrian government forces to the west.

Turkey reacted sharply to news of the border force on Sunday, saying it would “legitimise a terror organisation”.

Ankara is fiercely opposed to the SDF, which is dominated by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) — considered by the Turkish government to be a “terrorist” group.

“Rather than end its support to the PYD-YPG, these steps taken to legitimise a terror organisation and to make it permanent in the region are worrying,” said Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Accepting this state of affairs is absolutely not possible,” Kalin added.

Top SDF media official Mustefa Bali confirmed the creation of the border force, and said training had already begun.

“We are transitioning to a new phase of coordination between us and the international coalition,” Bali told AFP.

“The wide areas and cities that were liberated need someone to protect them.”

Bali said the new units would be deployed along the Turkish border and adjacent to territory held by Syrian troops, but did not immediately respond to a question on rules of engagement in those areas.

Turkey has often targeted YPG positions in northern Syria and on Sunday, Erdogan threatened to attack the Kurdish-held area of Afrin in northern Syria “in the days ahead”.

The SDF’s relationship with regime forces is less tense.

There was no immediate reaction from the Syrian government to the border force announcement.

The coalition declined to comment on possible military protocol when it came to Turkish or regime troops.

Dillon said the force was primarily part of a broader strategy to “prevent the resurgence of IS”.

“With the fight against IS, as the remaining pocket continues to go away, we know that doesn’t mean the end of Daesh,” he told AFP, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

“We’ll have to make sure that there is security that can be maintained,” he said.

Dillon said SDF troops in Syria’s east were already coordinating with Iraqi forces across the border to target any “transient movement” by IS fighters between the two countries.</s>BEIRUT: The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group said on Sunday it was working to create a 30,000-strong border security force in northern Syria, drawing sharp condemnation from Turkey.

With the offensive against IS winding down, the coalition and its allies in the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance were beginning to shift their focus to border security, coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon told AFP.

"There is a goal of a final force of approximately 30,000," about half of whom would be retrained SDF fighters, he said.

"There are approximately 230 individuals that are training right now in the border security force. That's an inaugural class," Dillon said.

The SDF has ousted IS from swathes of northeastern Syria, backed by the US-led coalition's air strikes, equipment and arms.

Its Kurdish and Arab members now control territory bordering Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east and Syrian government forces to the west.

Turkey reacted sharply to news of the border force on Sunday, saying it would "legitimise a terror organisation".

Ankara is fiercely opposed to the SDF, which is dominated by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) -- considered by the Turkish government to be a "terrorist" group.

"Rather than end its support to the PYD-YPG, these steps taken to legitimise a terror organisation and to make it permanent in the region are worrying," said Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Accepting this state of affairs is absolutely not possible," Kalin added, in comments reported by Turkish media.

Dillon could not immediately confirm whether the border security force would be deployed along the frontier with Turkey or adjacent to territory controlled by Syrian regime forces.

He declined to comment on possible "rules of engagement" between the border units and Turkish or Syrian troops.

The force's creation, Dillon said, was instead part of a broader strategy to "prevent the resurgence of IS".

"With the fight against IS, as the remaining pocket continues to go away, we know that doesn't mean the end of Daesh. We'll have to make sure that there is security that can be maintained," he said.</s>BEIRUT: The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group said on Sunday (Jan 14) it was working to create a 30,000-strong border security force in northern Syria, drawing sharp condemnation from Turkey.

With the offensive against IS winding down, the coalition and its allies in the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance were beginning to shift their focus to border security, coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon told AFP.

"There is a goal of a final force of approximately 30,000," about half of whom would be retrained SDF fighters, he said.

"There are approximately 230 individuals that are training right now in the border security force. That's an inaugural class," Dillon said.

Backed by the US-led coalition's air strikes, special forces advisers, and weapons, the SDF has ousted IS from swathes of northeastern Syria.

Its Kurdish and Arab members now control territory bordering Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east and Syrian government forces to the west.

Turkey reacted sharply to news of the border force on Sunday, saying it would "legitimise a terror organisation".

Ankara is fiercely opposed to the SDF, which is dominated by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) - considered by the Turkish government to be a "terrorist" group.

"Rather than end its support to the PYD-YPG, these steps taken to legitimise a terror organisation and to make it permanent in the region are worrying," said Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Accepting this state of affairs is absolutely not possible," Kalin added.

BEIRUT: The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group said on Sunday (Jan 14) it was working to create a 30,000-strong border security force in northern Syria, drawing sharp condemnation from Turkey.

With the offensive against IS winding down, the coalition and its allies in the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance were beginning to shift their focus to border security, coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon told AFP.

"There is a goal of a final force of approximately 30,000," about half of whom would be retrained SDF fighters, he said.

"There are approximately 230 individuals that are training right now in the border security force. That's an inaugural class," Dillon said.

Backed by the US-led coalition's air strikes, special forces advisers, and weapons, the SDF has ousted IS from swathes of northeastern Syria.

Its Kurdish and Arab members now control territory bordering Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east and Syrian government forces to the west.

Turkey reacted sharply to news of the border force on Sunday, saying it would "legitimise a terror organisation".

Ankara is fiercely opposed to the SDF, which is dominated by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) - considered by the Turkish government to be a "terrorist" group.

"Rather than end its support to the PYD-YPG, these steps taken to legitimise a terror organisation and to make it permanent in the region are worrying," said Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Accepting this state of affairs is absolutely not possible," Kalin added.

Top SDF media official Mustefa Bali confirmed the creation of the border force, and said training had already begun.

"We are transitioning to a new phase of coordination between us and the international coalition," Bali told AFP.

"The wide areas and cities that were liberated need someone to protect them."

Bali said the new units would be deployed along the Turkish border and adjacent to territory held by Syrian troops, but did not immediately respond to a question on rules of engagement in those areas.

Turkey has often targeted YPG positions in northern Syria and on Sunday, Erdogan threatened to attack the Kurdish-held area of Afrin in northern Syria "in the days ahead".

The SDF's relationship with regime forces is less tense.

Since last year, a "de-confliction line" cutting diagonally across eastern Syria has largely kept the two forces from clashing.

There was no immediate reaction from the Syrian government to the border force announcement.

The coalition declined to comment on possible military protocol when it came to Turkish or regime troops.

Dillon said the force was primarily part of a broader strategy to "prevent the resurgence of IS".

"With the fight against IS, as the remaining pocket continues to go away, we know that doesn't mean the end of Daesh," he told AFP, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

"We'll have to make sure that there is security that can be maintained," he said.

Dillon said SDF troops in Syria's east were already coordinating with Iraqi forces across the border to target any "transient movement" by IS fighters between the two countries.

Top SDF media official Mustefa Bali confirmed the creation of the border force, and said training had already begun.

"We are transitioning to a new phase of coordination between us and the international coalition," Bali told AFP.

"The wide areas and cities that were liberated need someone to protect them."

Bali said the new units would be deployed along the Turkish border and adjacent to territory held by Syrian troops, but did not immediately respond to a question on rules of engagement in those areas.

Turkey has often targeted YPG positions in northern Syria and on Sunday, Erdogan threatened to attack the Kurdish-held area of Afrin in northern Syria "in the days ahead".

The SDF's relationship with regime forces is less tense.

Since last year, a "de-confliction line" cutting diagonally across eastern Syria has largely kept the two forces from clashing.

There was no immediate reaction from the Syrian government to the border force announcement.

The coalition declined to comment on possible military protocol when it came to Turkish or regime troops.

Dillon said the force was primarily part of a broader strategy to "prevent the resurgence of IS".

"With the fight against IS, as the remaining pocket continues to go away, we know that doesn't mean the end of Daesh," he told AFP, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

"We'll have to make sure that there is security that can be maintained," he said.

Dillon said SDF troops in Syria's east were already coordinating with Iraqi forces across the border to target any "transient movement" by IS fighters between the two countries.</s>The U.S.-led coalition confirmed reports Saturday that it will establish a 30,000-strong new border security force with the People's Protection Units (YPG)-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria, a move that has already angered Turkey.

The coalition named the "new" army the Syrian Border Security Force (BSF). About 15,000 of the fighters will be SDF veterans as the fight against Daesh comes to a close. Another 15,000 will be recruited and trained in the near future. Currently, 230 individuals are training in the inaugural class, according to the coalition statement.

The coalition said the ethnic composition of the new border force would be relative to the areas in which they serve: "Efforts are taken to ensure individuals serve in areas close to their homes. More Kurds will serve in the areas in northern Syria. More Arabs will serve in areas along the Euphrates River Valley (ERV) and along the border with Iraq to the south."

This makes almost certain that the U.S. designated terror group PKK's Syrian armed YPG militia will be deployed to the Turkish-Syrian border, a move that will further increase tensions in the area as well as with Washington.

The Foreign Ministry summoned U.S. Charge D'affaires Phil Kosnett on Wednesday following an Anadolu Agency report saying that a group of 400 fighters from the YPG-led SDF have been trained as border guards. The group, "named as the North Army by the PKK, was provided with technical training as well as military training and 'high-tech equipment,'" according to the report.

A curious part of the statement is that the Combined Joint Task Force, Operation Inherent Resolve, would deploy some of the border force along the Euphrates River Valley, a natural border with the Assad regime forces and the Russians.

"The Border Security Force will be stationed along the ERV to the west, along the Iraqi border to the southeast, and along the border with Turkey to the north. They will serve under the leadership of the SDF. They will be providing border security through professionally securing checkpoints and conducting counter-IED operations," the coalition added.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. Joseph Votel announced last month that they would establish border forces in Syria, which he said would help prevent the resurgence of Daesh.

On Thursday, Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon refused to provide details of the training given to the so-called "North Army," but added that the Pentagon has maintained full accountability and transparency with the Turkish government over the aid granted.

"We want to reassure the people and government of Turkey that the U.S. is committed to preventing additional security risks and protecting our NATO ally," Pahon said.</s>The decision of the US to create “border forces” on the territory under their control in Syria outright violates the UN charter and the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic, said the Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Konstantin Kosachev to RIA Novosti on Sunday.

As the official representative of the US-led coalition on the fight against ISIS earlier reported to the “Defense Post” publication, the coalition started in Syria to create so-called “border forces” on the territory under their control. According to him, the coalition works together with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to create and train new Syrian border forces (SBF). Currently about 230 people are trained, the ultimate goal is to create a force of approximately 30,000 people.

“The US-led coalition is no more than a chimera, in reality no coalition exists, there is only the unilateral actions of the US supported by a number of countries, either for reasons of allied solidarity or because of obligations that arise when the appropriate military or economic assistance is received,” said the senator.

He stressed that “controlling territory” in relation to a sovereign State and a member of the UN without its consent is an “outright violation of the UN charter, international law, and the sovereignty of this State”.

And the most important thing is that unilateral and uncoordinated actions do not work in the fight against ISIS, which the Americans had to be repeatedly convinced of, since August, 2014, when for the first time they tried to conduct their own operation against terrorists, noted Kosachev.

The US’ plans for the creation of so-called border forces on the territory of Syria under their control are unacceptable, said the press secretary of the president of Turkey İbrahim Kalın on Sunday.</s>The US-led coalition fighting Daesh in Syria has started to form new "Border Defense Forces" at the borders of the area held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) dominated by the Kurdish YPG militias, CJTF-OIR Public Affairs Officer Col. Thomas Veale told the Defense Post website on Saturday.

READ MORE: Turkey Summons US Charge d’Affairs Twice in 24 Hours — Reports

"The Coalition is working jointly with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to establish and train the new Syrian Border Security Force (BSF). Currently, there are approximately 230 individuals training in the BSF’s inaugural class, with the goal of a final force size of approximately 30,000," according to the coalition's representative.

The ethnic composition of the force will differ in various areas, with efforts taken to ensure that people serve close to their homes. More Kurds will serve in the areas of northern Syria, while more Arabs will serve in areas along the Euphrates River Valley and along the border with Iraq, Veale noted.

The US plans immediately triggered reaction from Ankara, with President Erdogan's representative Ibrahim Kalin stating that such move is unacceptable and "worrying."

He said that instead of ending supplying the SDF forces with arms "the USA is taking worrying steps to legitimise this organisation and make it lasting in the region."

READ MORE: Turkey Summons Top US Diplomat in Ankara Over Situation in Syria — Reports

Earlier on Sunday, a Turkish senior official told Reuters that the US training of the new "Border Security Force" was reason why the US charge d'affaires was summoned in Ankara on Wednesday, as relations between Washington and Ankara remain strained due to US military support for the YPG units.</s>The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group said today it was working to create a 30,000-strong border security force in northern Syria, drawing sharp condemnation from Turkey. With the offensive against IS winding down, the coalition and its allies in the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance were beginning to shift their focus to border security, coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon told AFP. “There is a goal of a final force of approximately 30,000,” about half of whom would be retrained SDF fighters, he said. “There are approximately 230 individuals that are training right now in the border security force. That’s an inaugural class,” Dillon said.

Backed by the US-led coalition’s air strikes, special forces advisers, and weapons, the SDF has ousted IS from swathes of northeastern Syria. Its Kurdish and Arab members now control territory bordering Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east and Syrian government forces to the west. Turkey reacted sharply to news of the border force today, saying it would “legitimise a terror organisation”. Ankara is fiercely opposed to the SDF, which is dominated by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) – considered by the Turkish government to be a “terrorist” group.

“Rather than end its support to the PYD-YPG, these steps taken to legitimise a terror organisation and to make it permanent in the region are worrying,” said Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “Accepting this state of affairs is absolutely not possible,” Kalin added. Top SDF media official Mustefa Bali confirmed the creation of the border force, and said training had already begun. “We are transitioning to a new phase of coordination between us and the international coalition,” Bali told AFP. “The wide areas and cities that were liberated need someone to protect them.”

Bali said the new units would be deployed along the Turkish border and adjacent to territory held by Syrian troops, but did not immediately respond to a question on rules of engagement in those areas. Turkey has often targeted YPG positions in northern Syria and on Sunday, Erdogan threatened to attack the Kurdish-held area of Afrin in northern Syria “in the days ahead”. The SDF’s relationship with regime forces is less tense. Since last year, a “de-confliction line” cutting diagonally across eastern Syria has largely kept the two forces from clashing.

There was no immediate reaction from the Syrian government to the border force announcement. The coalition declined to comment on possible military protocol when it came to Turkish or regime troops. Dillon said the force was primarily part of a broader strategy to “prevent the resurgence of IS”. “With the fight against IS, as the remaining pocket continues to go away, we know that doesn’t mean the end of Daesh,” he told AFP, using the Arabic acronym for IS. “We’ll have to make sure that there is security that can be maintained,” he said.

Dillon said SDF troops in Syria’s east were already coordinating with Iraqi forces across the border to target any “transient movement” by IS fighters between the two countries.
The U.S.-led coalition confirms reports that it will form a new 30,000-strong Syrian Border Security Force (BSF). Half of the forces will be Syrian Democratic Forces veterans. Another 15,000 will be recruited and trained in the near future.