Trump Demands Turkey and Kurds Prevent Escape of Detained Militants

US President Donald Trump has demanded that Turkey and the Kurds prevent the escape of militants detained by the Islamic State terrorist organization, RIA Novosti reports.

"The US is holding the worst ISIS prisoners. Turkey and the Kurds must not let them escape. Europe should take them after numerous demands. They have to do it now. They will never come to the US; they won’t be allowed here," Trump wrote on Twitter.

In light of Turkey's military operation against the Kurds in northern Syria, reports of potential escapes from prisons of the US allied SDF formations have emerged.

A senior State Department official told reporters last week that ISIS detainee militants and their family members could end up in Turkey's operation zone.

Previously, the US had sought demands from several countries to facilitate the repatriation of their citizen-militants to be prosecuted in their home countries.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the start of "Operation Peace Spring" in northern Syria on October 9, aimed at targeting the PKK and ISIS.

On the same day, Turkish aviation carried out strikes on the city of Ras al-Ayn and several other cities near the border. A ground operation was later announced.

On Saturday, the Turkish Ministry of Defense reported that Turkish forces and the Syrian armed opposition had taken control of Ras al-Ayn, and on Sunday, Anadolu agency reported the control of Tal Abyad city.

Syrian authorities have repeatedly condemned Turkey's occupation policy in northern Syria. Russia has stated that Turkey should avoid actions that could hinder the resolution of the Syrian conflict, which has been ongoing since 2011.