US plans more weapons, support, recruits for YPG/PKK terrorists in Syria

By Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US plans to provide the YPG, the Syrian offshoot of the terror group PKK, with large amounts of weapons and equipment and financial support, as well as thousands of new recruits, according to a newly released Defense Department 2023 fiscal year budget report.

The news is certain to face criticism from the US’ NATO ally Turkiye, which for years has objected to the US arming and supporting a terrorist group just south of its borders. The US has argued that it uses YPG/PKK to fight ISIS/Daesh terrorists, but Turkiye says using one terror group to fight another makes no sense.

The revelation came in Pentagon-released papers on the $813 billion defense budget for the coming year, including a program to train and equip the terrorist YPG/PKK, here called “SDF,” a moniker the group deliberately chose to hide their true identity as terrorists.

The section called Counter-ISIS (Daesh) Train and Equip Fund says that the US plans to offer ammunition, weapons, and equipment worth $358 million for Iraqi security forces and another $183 million for groups it backs in Syria, including the YPG/PKK along Turkiye’s southern borders.

In the section on Syria, the "SDF" located in northeastern Syria and an opposition group called Maghaweir al-Thowra will benefit from the train and equip fund.

The document also noted that the US plans to expand the “SDF” ranks by 3,500 people, including prison guards, and boost the number of those getting their salaries paid by the Pentagon from 16,000 to 19,500.

The $183 million includes $32.1 for training and equipment, $57.4 million for logistics support, $71.4 million for salaries, $15.3 million for infrastructure, and $5 million for maintenance.

- Kalashnikovs, machine guns for terrorists

The Pentagon reports said 4,000 AK-47 rifles, 100 dochka machine guns, and 432 PKM-type machine guns would be distributed among the two groups, without telling which guns or how many would go to each group.

Moreover, various ammunition worth some $3.5 million, including hand grenades, will be supplied to the groups, the statement added.

Turkish officials have also objected to the US supplying terrorists with arms and ammunition while refusing or derailing defense sales to its 70-year ally in NATO, Turkiye.

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

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas​​​​​​​