The United States’ chief partner in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria said he has credible intelligence that Turkey is preparing a ground invasion of Kurdish-controlled northeast Syria in keeping with Ankara’s threats.

Mazlum Kobane, also known as Mazlum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, told a news conference via Zoom that Turkey was gathering forces around the Kurdish-controlled towns of Manbij and Kobani and that Turkish-backed Sunni opposition fighters were building up between Manbij and Tell Rifaat. Speaking through a translator, Kobane vowed that his forces were “ready to repel the attacks and to defend our lands.”

Kobane rued the lack of Western pushback from the United States and Russia, noting that Turkey’s threats were “far louder” than the condemnatory statements “made by our allies.”

He said “stronger statements are needed” to deter a Turkish incursion that would undo years of joint efforts with the US-led coalition to stamp out IS for good. “In parallel with Turkish air and artillery attacks we have seen an uptick in activation of IS cells,” he added.