US acknowledges Türkiye’s counterterrorism threat in Syria, maintains support for PKK/YPG
White House, Washington DC., U.S. (AFP Photo)
The White House acknowledged on Tuesday Türkiye’s “legitimate counterterrorism threat” in Syria but reaffirmed its support for the PKK/YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a key partner in the U.S.-led fight against Daesh.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated that Türkiye has “a right to defend their citizens and their territory against terrorist attacks,” referencing recent terrorist assaults on Türkiye.
“We recognize they have that right, and they’re an important NATO ally,” he added.
Kirby emphasized U.S. interests in combating Daesh, stating that the U.S. will continue to work with the SDF. “Where those two goals overlap or potentially conflict, we will have, as we have, the appropriate conversations with the Turks about how both those outcomes can be achieved,” he said.
US in close contact with PKK/YPG
The SDF, led by the YPG, is the U.S.’s primary anti-Daesh partner in Syria. The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, a group designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and Türkiye. Washington’s support for the SDF has strained relations with Türkiye, a NATO ally.
Amid ongoing clashes between the SDF and the Türkiye-backed Syrian National Army, Kirby noted that the U.S. is “not in a position to verify the exact operational status” of Manbij, a key city.
However, he added that the U.S. has “been in close contact with the Turks about this, and certainly remains in close contact with the Syrian Democratic Forces.”
Kirby also expressed concern about the security of detention facilities holding Daesh detainees in Syria, most of which are managed by the SDF.
“Some of these detention facilities do house Daesh fighters, largely of a lower level, but nevertheless, Daesh fighters,” he said. “We are talking to all of our counterparts, including the Turks, about the status of those detention facilities and our collective concern over the potential for them to be opened or for people to escape.”
He added that while the SDF runs most of these facilities in eastern Syria, the U.S. is confident in their ability to safeguard them, though the issue remains a concern.
US CENTCOM commander visits PKK /YPG terror group in Syria
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander, Gen. Michael Eric Kurilla, visited American troops and YPG/PKK-led Syrian partner Tuesday in Syria after he fall of the Assad regime, the statement said.
“Today, Dec. 10, Gen. Kurilla visited U.S. military commanders and servicemembers, as well as our Defeat-Daesh partners, the Syrian Democratic Forces, at several bases in Syria,” said CENTCOM.
