US ignores Turkey’s objection, approves arming Kurdish forces in Syria
US President Donald Trump has authorized the arming of Kurdish forces in Syria despite fierce opposition from Turkey.
The Pentagon made the announcement on Tuesday, stressing that arming the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is to “ensure a clear victory" in operations aimed at the liberation of Raqqah from the Daesh terrorist group.
The US currently provides air support for members of the SDF -- a Kurdish-dominated and anti-Damascus alliance. They have largely surrounded Raqqah and are expected to begin an offensive soon.
The SDF is led by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) which Ankara views as a terrorist organization over its alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
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"We are keenly aware of the security concerns of our coalition partner Turkey," said Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White. “We want to reassure the people and government of Turkey that the US is committed to preventing additional security risks and protecting our NATO ally," she added.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer also confirmed the announcement, “Yesterday the president authorized the Department of Defense to equip Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces as necessary to ensure a clear victory over ISIL in Raqqah, Syria. The SDF partnered with enabling support from US and coalition forces are the only force on the ground to successfully seize Raqqah in the near future.”
The move was announced after US Defense Secretary James Mattis said Washington will be cooperating with Turkey to liberate the Daesh-held northeastern Syrian city of Raqqah.
"We are going to sort it out and figure out how we are going to do it, but we are all committed to it,” he added.
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Meanwhile, reports coming out of Syria suggest that a joint military force of US, British, and Jordanian troops, equipped with tanks and helicopters, have been deployed in the war-torn country's southern border areas.
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- US, UK, Jordan deploy troops, tanks in southern Syria: Reports
- US considers expansion of military intervention in Syria
Different foreign-backed terrorist groups have been wreaking havoc in Syria since 2011.
Over the past few months, Syrian forces have made sweeping gains against Takfiri elements who have lately increased their acts of violence across the country following a series of defeats on the ground.
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