They＇ve lost the ground， they＇ve lost the cities， they＇ve lost the people that they were terrorizing and －－ and occupying. And so that＇s all a reality. That does not remove many of Turkey＇s concerns. And if you look at Syria， it＇s easy to understand why Turkey has concerns about the chaos that Assad＇s handling of his people＇s protests has unleashed and then drawn all the terrorists in， into the chaos that he created.
So we work with Turkey. We －－ they －－ Turkey was candid. They warned us before they launched the aircraft they were going to do it， in consultation with us. And we are working now on the way ahead through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs， obviously on the mil－to－mil side and －－ and we＇ll work this out.
Q：（Inaudible） how did they advise you and what was your reaction？
SEC. MATTIS：They －－ we received a telephone call from high levels in Turkey＇s military to high levels in the U.S. military. In advance.
Q：And did you say go do it， or？
SEC. MATTIS：Yes， we＇ll －－ we＇ll －－ I＇m not －－ I prefer not to answer that.
Q：And then lastly， just so I understand， are you worried about the situation right now？
SEC. MATTIS：We are very －－ yes. Good －－ we are very alert to it. Our top levels are engaged， not just in Defense Department. That＇s both －－ both Turkey and the American side. And －－ and we＇re working through it.
Q：Is there any kind of alternative to working with the SDF to stabilize an area long term？ The －－ Turkey obviously doesn＇t want that sort of collaboration with certain groups， is there any...
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