US speeds up military aid to PKK/PYD

By Anadolu Agency Staff

Al-HASAKAH (AA) - A total of 195 trucks allegedly carrying military equipment for the PKK/PYD terror group were seen passing through Iraqi border and later arrived in the northeastern Syrian province of Al-Hasakah, sources in the region said.

The delivery was performed in two separate shipments; 95 trucks arrived in the city on July 13 while 100 trucks arrived on Tuesday, the sources, who asked not to be named due to security fears, told Anadolu Agency.

"Stryker" armored vehicles along with tanker trucks caught the attention during shipment.

Before the latest delivery, a total of 434 trucks had already been sent to PKK/PYD-held region; 60 trucks on June 5, 20 trucks on June 12, 50 trucks on June 16, 120 trucks between June 21 and 26, 82 trucks on July 5 and 102 trucks on July 9.

According to the Pentagon, the U.S. military aid to several armed groups in Syria, including the PKK/PYD, comprises of 12,000 Kalashnikovs, 6,000 machine guns, 3,500 heavy machine guns, 3,000 RPG-7s, 1,000 American AT-4 or Russian SPG-9 anti-tanks, 235 mortar guns of different calibers, 100 sniper rifles, 450 PV-7 night vision binoculars and 150 binoculars with infrared laser illuminator.

The Combined Joint Task Force -- Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF - OIR) led by the United States -- announced on June 6 that the Raqqah Operation was launched with the aim of clearing Daesh from the city center.

However, sources in the region say such military aid by the U.S. has allegedly taken place since 2016.

PKK/PYD, the Syrian offshoot of the terrorist organization PKK, is in control of Al-Hasakah in the east, northern Raqqah, Manbij, to the east of Aleppo, Afrin and Tal Rifaat districts.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, has waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years, during which more than 40,000 people have been killed. It is also involved in illicit drug production, manufacture, and trafficking.

However, the U.S. sees the PKK/PYD, which is part of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as an ally in the fight against Daesh.

The National Security Council of Turkey stated on Monday that some of the weapons sent to the PKK/PYD within the scope of fight against Daesh had been captured during the raids executed by Turkish Armed Forces against the terrorist group PKK recently, proving that the PKK/PYD was a terrorist organization operating together.

*Names of reporters have been withheld due to security concerns.