On 12 December 2018, the Turkish government announced it would begin operations against Rojava "in a few days" in an apparent rebuke of US efforts at ensuring Turkish border security in the area.[21] In response, the Pentagon said that any unilateral military action taken in northern Syria, where US forces are operating, would be "unacceptable."[22] However, several days later the US announced the withdrawal of their troops from Syria, after which Turkey postponed the planned attack.[23]