Coalition Should Coordinate Efforts in Syria to Avoid Escalation - White House

US-led coalition operations against Daesh terrorists in Syria should be well-coordinated among the coalition to prevent tensions from escalating, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said in a press briefing on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earnest’s comments came after Erdogan said the Turkish Air Force would lead the operation to clear Raqqa from Daesh.

"Given the confined nature of the battlespace in Syria, it’s important that those actions are well-coordinated to prevent any sort of unintended consequence or unintended escalation," Earnest told reporters.

He explained that President Barack Obama reiterated the need for coordinated efforts in a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday.

On Monday, Turkey’s General Staff announced it had conducted airstrikes on 51 Kurdish Democratic Unity (PYD) positions in northern Syria, prompting the US State Department to say it was concerned about uncoordinated efforts.

Turkey opposes the participation of Syrian Democratic Forces of in the Raqqa operation since the force includes Kurdish People's Protection Units, which Ankara considers to be part of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).