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French minister says US 'aware of need to protect' PKK terrorists in Syria

Ersin Çelik
15:43 - 20/01/2019 Sunday
Update: 15:49 - 20/01/2019 Sunday
REUTERS
French Defence Minister Florence Parly
French Defence Minister Florence Parly

The United States is increasingly aware of the importance of protecting its "allies" from the People’s Protection Units (YPG) terror group even as it withdraws from Syria, French defense minister Florence Parly said on Sunday.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in December that Washington would withdraw the roughly 2,000 U.S. troops it has in Syria.

"This question about the necessity to protect them has been taken into consideration by the Americans," Parly told a programme hosted by France Info, France Inter and Le Monde newspaper.

A possible mission east of the Euphrates, which Turkey’s leadership has been suggesting for months, would follow two successful cross-border Turkish operations into Syria since 2016 – Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch – both meant to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The YPG and PYD are its Syrian extensions.

#PKK
#Turkey
#United States
#France
#Florence Parly
5 years ago