NAIROBI: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday a US-backed offensive against Daesh in northern Syria was largely being carried out by Arab rather than Kurdish fighters, in a sign of tacit approval for the operation near Turkey’s borders.
The Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, including the Kurdish YPG militia, thrust into Daesh-held territory around the city of Manbij this week, backed by US-led airstrikes.
“What we have been told is that the YPG will predominantly act as a logistical force here and the main force will be Arabs,” Erdogan told a news conference during a trip to Kenya.
“We are monitoring what is being done in this process through our own intelligence network and command chain. We will see,” he said.
The Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, including the Kurdish YPG militia, thrust into Daesh-held territory around the city of Manbij this week, backed by US-led airstrikes.
“What we have been told is that the YPG will predominantly act as a logistical force here and the main force will be Arabs,” Erdogan told a news conference during a trip to Kenya.
“We are monitoring what is being done in this process through our own intelligence network and command chain. We will see,” he said.
