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Syria war: US to arm Kurds in battle for Raqqa | Syria war: US to arm Kurds in battle for Raqqa |
(35 minutes later) | |
US President Donald Trump has approved supplying weapons to Kurdish forces fighting so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria, the Pentagon says. | US President Donald Trump has approved supplying weapons to Kurdish forces fighting so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria, the Pentagon says. |
Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) would be equipped to help drive IS from its stronghold, Raqqa, a spokeswoman said. | Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) would be equipped to help drive IS from its stronghold, Raqqa, a spokeswoman said. |
The US was "keenly aware" of Turkey's concerns about such a move, she added. | |
Turkey views the Kurdish rebels as terrorists and wants to stop them taking more territory in Syria. | Turkey views the Kurdish rebels as terrorists and wants to stop them taking more territory in Syria. |
The SDF, which comprises Kurdish and Arab militias, is already being supported by elite US forces and air strikes from a US-led coalition. | |
The group is currently battling IS for control of the city of Tabqa, an IS command centre just 50km (30 miles) from Raqqa. | The group is currently battling IS for control of the city of Tabqa, an IS command centre just 50km (30 miles) from Raqqa. |
A Pentagon source told the BBC the equipment would include ammunition, small arms, machine guns, heavy machine guns, construction equipment such as bulldozers and armoured vehicles. | |
The source added that the US would "seek to recover" the equipment afterwards. | The source added that the US would "seek to recover" the equipment afterwards. |
Analysis: Gary O'Donoghue, BBC News, Washington | |
The US believes the Kurdish fighters - known as the YPG - will be essential to the city's downfall. | |
The Pentagon sees them as the most disciplined and organised of the anti-IS groups but Turkish opposition has meant Washington has had to tread a fine line. | |
The imminence of the fight for Raqqa means delay is no longer an option and the Kurds will be getting a range of equipment. | |
US sources say they have received assurances from the Kurds that they will leave Raqqa to be governed by Syrian Arabs after the battle. | |
Turkey's President Erdogan is due in Washington next week - he will not be a happy visitor. | |
No timeline has been given for when the weapons would start to be supplied. | |
"We are keenly aware of the security concerns of our coalition partner Turkey," said Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White, who is travelling with US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in Lithuania. | |
"We want to reassure the people and government of Turkey that the US is committed to preventing additional security risks and protecting our Nato ally." | |
Turkey sees the Syrian Kurds as an extension of the PKK separatist group inside Turkey which has been designated a terrorist organisation by the US and EU. | |
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