Nurettin Canikli
The US decision on arms supplies to Syrian Kurds is unacceptable, said Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli. About it reports Reuters.
“We cannot accept the presence in the coalition of terrorist organizations that threaten the future of the Turkish state. We hope that the us administration will reconsider its decision”, — said in an interview with broadcaster A Haber.
Canikli statement was the first official response of Turkey to the US decision to supply arms to the fighting in Syria “Forces people’s protection units” (SNA), which includes several thousand Kurds. Turkey considers the SNA part of the PKK, which is recognized in the Republic as a terrorist organization.
On may 9, the administration of U.S. President Donald trump endorsed the supply of heavy weapons to the Syrian Kurds for the liberation of Raqqa from the militants of the “Islamic state” (IG, an organization banned in several countries, including Russia). A complete list of supplies is not disclosed, but presumably it will include 120-mm mortars, machine guns, and light armored vehicles.
Kurdish “people’s self-defense Force” composed of armed Syrian opposition with the support of the U.S. air force involved in the operation to liberate Raqqa. This Syrian city in 2014 was proclaimed the “capital” of ISIS.