NEW: President Trump threatens economic devastation of Turkey to protect Syrian Kurds

Greg P. | 6:56 PM on January 13, 2019

In a series of tweets Sunday night, President Donald Trump threatened to “devastate Turkey economically” if they “hit Kurds” in Syria:

Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019

….Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria – natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2019

There are reports that Turkey is planning to attack “Kurdish militants” in Northern Syria:

Background to this is Turkey beefing up military plans to go into Northern Syria to fight Kurdish militants.

US warned against the move. US Defense team expected in Turkey this week. Pompeo and Bolton in region.

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) January 13, 2019

Now let’s see how well this goes over in Turkey:

2AM in Turkey and my Turkish timeline is already full of people angered by Trump’s economic THREAT against Ankara over Syrian Kurdish YPG

— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) January 13, 2019

There were no other details on this new “20-mile safe zone”:

US threat of economic retaliation against Turkey to protect Syrian Kurds is new, not clear what the 20 mile "safe zone" is referring to https://t.co/SwjJN0FKuX

— Ryan Browne (@rabrowne75) January 13, 2019

Usually, troops would be needed to main this type of buffer zone, but we’re pulling U.S. forces out of Syria:

First and foremost:

-Who is going to man this 20-mile safe zone, presumably between Turkey and Syria?

-US-Turkey trade totals around $16b/year; Turkey's GDP is ~$850b. Can US really "economically devastate" Turkey? In what universe do sanctions make Ankara more cooperative?

— DavidKenner (@DavidKenner) January 13, 2019