US Commanders Propose Allowing Syrian Kurds to Keep Weapons

US Commanders Propose Allowing Syrian Kurds to Keep Weapons
While preparing for withdrawing the troops from Syria, the US commanders have recommended to Washington to allow the Syrian Kurdish fighters to keep the weapons their country has supplied for the war against the Islamic State (IS).



Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, three US commanders said they had made the proposal as part of a draft plan by the US military. However, the decision remains in the hands of Pentagon and the White House.

Discussions are still at an early stage inside the Pentagon and no decision has yet been made, the officials told Reuters. The plan will then be presented to the White House in the upcoming days with US President Donald Trump making the final decision.

The Pentagon had declined to comment on the issue, saying it is “inappropriate” and early to discuss about the weapons at this stage.

“Planning is ongoing, and focused on executing a deliberate and controlled withdrawal of forces while taking all measures possible to ensure our troops’ safety,” Commander Sean Robertson, a Pentagon spokesperson, was quoted.

If the recommendation is approved, it is expected to anger Turkey as it has been opposing to the partnership between the US and Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) since the beginning.

Washington has promised Turkey to take its weapons back from the Syrian Kurds as soon as the war against IS is concluded. Turkey has reportedly been receiving a list of the weapons Washington has supplied to the YPG in the past years.