US says it reduced patrols with PKK/YPG in Syria after Türkiye's anti-terror strikes

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US Department of Defense said Tuesday it has reduced its patrols with PKK/YPG in the wake of Türkiye's airstrikes against the terror group.

Speaking at a press conference, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier Gen. Patrick Ryder said the US recognizes Türkiye's security concerns but remains "deeply concerned" about the airstrikes in northern Syria.

Ryder said the Daesh/ISIS mission "right now" continues, adding: "We have reduced the number of partner patrols" with the terror group.

The spokesman also voiced concern about a potential ground operation by Türkiye and said it "would severely jeopardize the hard-fought gains" against Daesh terror group.

He called for restraint and said the US maintains regular communication with Ankara.

Recently, Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Sword in northern Iraq and Syria, a cross-border aerial campaign against the terror group PKK/YPG, which has illegal hideouts across the Iraqi and Syrian borders where they plan and sometimes execute attacks on Turkish soil.

After the air operation was launched on Nov. 20, Erdogan had also signaled a ground operation in northern Iraq and northern Syria to eliminate the terror threat.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the terror group’s Syrian offshoot.

*Kasim Ileri contributed to the story