This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/09/us/politics/trump-kurds-syria-army.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Trump to Arm Syrian Kurds, Even as Turkey Strongly Objects | |
(35 minutes later) | |
WASHINGTON — President Trump has approved a plan to provide Syrian Kurds with heavier weapons so they can participate in the battle to retake Raqqa from the Islamic State, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. | WASHINGTON — President Trump has approved a plan to provide Syrian Kurds with heavier weapons so they can participate in the battle to retake Raqqa from the Islamic State, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. |
American military commanders have long argued for arming the Y.P.G., a Kurdish militia that contains some of the most experienced fighters among the Syrian force that is battling the Islamic State. | American military commanders have long argued for arming the Y.P.G., a Kurdish militia that contains some of the most experienced fighters among the Syrian force that is battling the Islamic State. |
But Turkey has vociferously objected to such a move, insisting that the Kurdish fighters are linked with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which both it and the United States regard as a terrorist group. | But Turkey has vociferously objected to such a move, insisting that the Kurdish fighters are linked with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which both it and the United States regard as a terrorist group. |
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey is scheduled to meet with Mr. Trump in Washington in mid-May, and the American decision on arming the Kurds is likely to figure prominently in the discussion. | President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey is scheduled to meet with Mr. Trump in Washington in mid-May, and the American decision on arming the Kurds is likely to figure prominently in the discussion. |
Turkey was informed of Mr. Trump’s decision, according to an American official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was discussing private diplomatic communications. | Turkey was informed of Mr. Trump’s decision, according to an American official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was discussing private diplomatic communications. |
While the Kurds are combat-hardened fighters, American officials have said that they will need anti-tank missiles, heavy machine guns, mortars and armored vehicles to take on Islamic State fighters in Raqqa, who are well equipped and have fortified their positions. | While the Kurds are combat-hardened fighters, American officials have said that they will need anti-tank missiles, heavy machine guns, mortars and armored vehicles to take on Islamic State fighters in Raqqa, who are well equipped and have fortified their positions. |
It is not clear how the Trump administration plans to avoid a backlash from Turkey. But American military officials have previously suggested that the United States might provide the Kurdish fighters with just enough weapons to take Raqqa while restricting the supply of arms and ammunition they would receive after that operation. | It is not clear how the Trump administration plans to avoid a backlash from Turkey. But American military officials have previously suggested that the United States might provide the Kurdish fighters with just enough weapons to take Raqqa while restricting the supply of arms and ammunition they would receive after that operation. |
“We would be transparent with them,” Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the commander of the United States Central Command, said of the Turks during a visit to Syria in February. “We could meter things like ammunition.” | “We would be transparent with them,” Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the commander of the United States Central Command, said of the Turks during a visit to Syria in February. “We could meter things like ammunition.” |
Dana W. White, the chief Pentagon spokeswoman, announced the decision in a statement on Tuesday. | Dana W. White, the chief Pentagon spokeswoman, announced the decision in a statement on Tuesday. |
“Yesterday, the president authorized the Department of Defense to equip Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces as necessary to ensure a clear victory over ISIS in Raqqa, Syria,” she said, using the name of the umbrella group that is fighting the Islamic State. “The SDF, partnered with enabling support from U.S. and coalition forces, are the only force on the ground that can successfully seize Raqqa in the near future.” | “Yesterday, the president authorized the Department of Defense to equip Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces as necessary to ensure a clear victory over ISIS in Raqqa, Syria,” she said, using the name of the umbrella group that is fighting the Islamic State. “The SDF, partnered with enabling support from U.S. and coalition forces, are the only force on the ground that can successfully seize Raqqa in the near future.” |
“We are keenly aware of the security concerns of our coalition partner Turkey,” Ms. White added. “We want to reassure the people and government of Turkey that the U.S. is committed to preventing additional security risks and protecting our NATO ally.” | “We are keenly aware of the security concerns of our coalition partner Turkey,” Ms. White added. “We want to reassure the people and government of Turkey that the U.S. is committed to preventing additional security risks and protecting our NATO ally.” |