SDF defector revealed games played in the guise of fighting ISIL: AKP spokesperson

ANKARA

Recent remarks by a defector from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on U.S. support to the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and a deal the group signed with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) reveal the games being played in the guise of fighting ISIL, ruling Justice and Development (AKP) spokesperson Mahir Ünal has said.

Ünal spoke to reporters on Dec. 4 in the capital Ankara during the party’s Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting.

He said former SDF spokesman Talal Silo’s revelations to state-run Anadolu Agency were discussed during the gathering.

“What Silo said was extremely remarkable in terms of uncovering what games are being played in the region, and what they actually want to do in the name of ‘fighting ISIL,’” Ünal told reporters.

Silo spoke to Anadolu Agency last week after defecting from the U.S.-backed SDF, which is spearheaded by the YPG.

Silo revealed details of the U.S.’s military support to the YPG and claimed deals were struck in the guise of combating ISIL.

Despite Turkey’s objections, the U.S. has continued to provide the YPG with arms, which Turkey sees as a terrorist group over its link with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Ünal claimed that those who, through Turkey’s opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), accused Turkey of supporting ISIL have actually been cooperating with the jihadist group.

He added that Silo has clearly revealed the ties between the PKK and the SDF.

The PKK is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S., the EU and Turkey.