US Will Arm Syrian Kurds To Defeat Islamic State

Picture: Kurdishstruggle via Flickr.

The US is to supply weapons to Syria's Kurdish fighters to enable them to take back the so-called Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa.

President Donald Trump has approved arming Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces, described "as necessary to ensure a clear victory over ISIS" by a Pentagon spokeswoman, despite intense opposition from NATO-ally Turkey.

She went on to describe the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as "the only force on the ground that can successfully seize Raqqa in the near future".

It is hoped the backing will accelerate the Raqqa operation, but it is at odds with the Turkish government's view that the Syrian Kurdish group, known as the YPG, is an extension of a Kurdish terrorist organisation that operates in Turkey.

The SDF have already been backed by US-led coalition air strikes, and the group are close to being in a position to attack IS in Raqqa, although they are still attempting to isolate the city.

The US is eager to retake Raqqa, believing it to be a haven for IS operatives planning attacks on western countries.

Even with the extra US weaponry however, the Kurds and their Syrian Arab partners are expected to face a difficult and perhaps lengthy fight for control of Raqqa, which has been key to the extremists' state-building project.

Senior US officials including General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have met repeatedly with Turkish officials to try to work out an arrangement for the Raqqa assault that would be acceptable to Ankara.

The Turks have insisted that the Syrian Kurds be excluded from that operation, but US officials say there was no real alternative.

The Pentagon insist the US prioritises its support for the Arab elements of the SDF, and that it is "keenly aware" of Turkey's concerns.

A spokeswoman said:

"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."

Other officials said Mr Trump's authorisation includes safeguards intended to reassure the Turks that the additional US weaponry and equipment will not be used by the Kurds in Turkey.

The intent is to restrict the distribution and use of the weaponry by permitting its use for specific battlefield missions and then requiring the Kurds to return it to US control.