In blow to U.S.-Turkey ties, Trump administration approves plan to directly arm Syrian Kurds against Islamic State
By Thomas Gibbons-Neff May 9 at 1:40 PM
President Trump has approved a plan to directly arm Kurdish forces fighting in Syria as part of a U.S. military plan to capture Raqqa, the Syrian city that is the Islamic State’s defacto capital, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.
The decision, which was first reported by NBC, is sure to anger Turkey, the NATO ally that views the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, or YPG, as a threat and has rebuked the United States for partnering with them in its fight against extremists in Syria.
Two officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the plan had not been announced, confirmed that a decision had been made but declined to provide further details.
The YPG dominates a group known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, which also includes Arab, Christian and Turkmen fighters that have been the Pentagon’s premier proxy force fighting the Islamic State in Syria.
While the YPG has received air support from the United States and, indirectly through Arab fighters, some U.S. weaponry, Turkey has warned the United States against arming the group directly. Ankara views the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which is considered a terrorist group by both Turkey and the United States.
It was not immediately clear whether the decision by Trump means the YPG will receive heavier weapons, including anti-tank missiles and armored vehicles. Both are likely to be needed if Kurdish troops are to successfully penetrate Raqqa, well-fortified by Islamic State militants.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/05/09/in-blow-to-u-s-turkey-ties-trump-administration-approves-plan-to-directly-arm-syrian-kurds-against-islamic-state/?pushid=59120193fdd5491d00000030&tid=notifi_push_breaking-news&utm_term=.afbdd15a52bf
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