Trump says US has not “abandoned Kurds”

Facing criticism from fellow Republicans as well as Democrats, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the US has not "abandoned" its Kurdish allies inside Syria.

"We may be in the process of leaving Syria, but in no way have we Abandoned the Kurds, who are special people and wonderful fighters," Trump said in a series of tweets.

This followed Trump's decision to remove US troops from a crucial area of the Turkey-Syria border.

The move was perceived as a green light for Turkey to conduct long-planned operations inside Syria against its Kurdish foes.

Trump echoed a threat he made Monday to "destroy" Turkey's economy if it wipes out the Kurds. He also defended Turkey, calling it "a NATO and Trading partner" with whom the United States has a "very good" relationship.

Turkey Vice President Fuat Oktay, saying his country wants to create a zone to permit the resettlement of Syrian refugees, told reporters that "where Turkey's security is concerned, we determine our own path but we set our own limits."

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, meanwhile, said in a statement that "we will not hesitate for a moment in defending our people" against Turkish troops. Turkey views the Kurds as terrorists with ties to domestic insurgents.