The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs call him today American Ambassador to Turkey to express his annoyance at his visit chief of staff of the US armed forces at northeastern Syria over the weekend, according to diplomatic sources.

Ankara has demanded an explanation from US Ambassador Jeff Flake regarding General Mark Milley’s surprise visit to northeastern Syria that took place on Saturday, March 4.

Milli, the army chief of staff, made a surprise visit to a US base in northeastern Syria on Saturday to assess the US mission that has been deployed in the region for nearly eight years to fight Islamic State and also to review the security valves that protect American soldiers from possible attacks.

The visit provoked a reaction from Damascus as well, with the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemning the visit, calling it “illegal” and speaking of a “flagrant violation” of the country’s sovereignty.