US arming Kurdish groups in Syria as Turkey threatens ground operation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Dec 2022 16:04
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Turkish daily Yeni Safak wrote that the US continues to support the PKK by resuming joint patrols in northern Syria, in addition to arming them.

US forces patrol near the countryside of Rmeilan in Syria's northeastern Al-Hasakah province near the Turkish border, on May 26, 2022. (AFP)

As an extension of Washington's long-standing support for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - considered by Turkey terrorist organization in northern Syria - a report by Turkish daily Yeni Safak wrote that the US continues to support the PKK by resuming joint patrols in northern Syria, in addition to arming them in areas where the Turkish forces are going to conduct a ground military operation.

For context, on November 20, Turkey airstrikes targeted military bases belonging to the PKK and its armed wing, the YPK, in both northern Syria and Iraq. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan then raised the possibility of conducting a ground operation soon.

The United States has been arming terror groups in northeastern Syria, making grounds for oil and gas theft. In August, SANA reported that US armed forces looted a convoy of 65 tankers filled with oil from the region of Al-Jazeera, then headed toward their military bases in Iraq, smuggling their looted cargo via the illegal Al-Mahmudiyah border crossing.

Yeni Safak writes that the US' support for the PKK sends a message: "We are with you!"

In addition, Nikolas Granger, the US envoy to northeast Syria, also said the US opposed Turkish military action, according to the news outlet.

The PKK has recently deployed TOW anti-tank missiles in villages near Al-Bab, a village held by the Syrian opposition. The organization has sent a minimum of 100 militants to Ain Issa, one of Turkey's possible targets, in addition to 30 more in villages near Ain Al-Arab, a town along the borders, according to the daily.

The PKK also sent multi-barrel rocket launchers to Hezwan.

Last week, Erdogan said that Turkey will be completing the security strip along its southern border, which is 30 kilometers deep into Syrian territory.

Erdogan, speaking at a meeting in southern Sanliurfa province, said that the attacks (by namely the Kurdistan Workers' Party - or the PKK - and the YPG, which is the PKK's branch in Syria) will not deter the country from its determined stance on securing its southern border: "We will definitely complete the 30-kilometer-deep security corridor that we are establishing along our southern borders, attacks will not dampen our resolve," he said.

Since 2016, Turkey has engaged in three operations in northern Syria - which have also consequentially resulted in the occupation of the region. The operations are Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

Erdogan underlined that Turkey is committed to destroying the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) "until its last militant is neutralized."