Pentagon says reviewing ‘adjustments’ to arms for Syrian Kurdish YPG

WASHINGTON

The Pentagon said on Nov. 27 that it was reviewing “adjustments” in arms for the Syrian Kurdish YPG (People’s Protection Units), but it stopped short of halting weapons transfers, suggesting such decisions would be based on battlefield requirements.

Turkey said on Nov. 24 that U.S. President Donald Trump told President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan he had issued instructions that weapons should not be provided to the YPG.

“We are reviewing pending adjustments to the military support provided to our Kurdish partners in as much as the military requirements of our defeat-ISIS and stabilization efforts will allow to prevent ISIS from returning,” said Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon, referring to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which U.S. and U.S.-backed forces are battling in Syria.

Earlier on Nov. 27, Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ said the call between Trump and Erdoğan was a turning point in strained ties between the two countries, but Washington must honor a pledge to stop providing weapons to the Syrian Kurds.

“The ‘We will not give weapons’ remark from a U.S. president for the first time is important, but it will lose value if it is not implemented. It would be deceiving the world,” Bozdağ said.

A spokesperson for the coalition said on Nov. 26 that it was looking at “adjustments” to the support it provides to the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), ranging from the number of advisers to training and artillery.

Weapons provided to Syrian YPG have been limited and mission specific, the spokesperson added.