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White House approves heavier weapons for Syria’s Kurds – US official US to send heavier weapons to Syrian Kurds and reassures NATO ally, Turkey – Pentagon
(35 minutes later)
The Trump administration has approved heavier weapons for Syria’s Kurds to support efforts to retake Raqqa from Islamic State control, a senior US official told media. The decision comes despite objection from Turkey. The Department of Defense has confirmed delivery of heavier weapons to US-allied Kurdish fighters, for the upcoming ‘long and difficult’ battle to retake the Syrian city of Raqqa from ISIS. The Pentagon has also offered protection to its NATO ally, Turkey.
The official wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the decision and demanded anonymity, according to AP.
“That’s not to say we all walk into the room with exactly the same appreciation of the problem or the path forward,” Mattis told reporters in Denmark after meeting with officials from more than a dozen nations also fighting IS.
“We’re going to sort it out,” Mattis said. “We’ll figure out how we’re going to do it.”
US Secretary of Defense James Mattis is meeting with Turkish officials in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Tuesday to work out differences over the US’s continued support for Syrian Kurds against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) fighters and efforts to retake Raqqa. Turkey considers them an extension of a banned terrorist group on its territory.US Secretary of Defense James Mattis is meeting with Turkish officials in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Tuesday to work out differences over the US’s continued support for Syrian Kurds against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) fighters and efforts to retake Raqqa. Turkey considers them an extension of a banned terrorist group on its territory.
Back in February, General Joseph Votel, commander of the US forces in the Middle East, after visiting the Raqqa frontline told reporters Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces need more than AK-47s weapons in the fight against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).Back in February, General Joseph Votel, commander of the US forces in the Middle East, after visiting the Raqqa frontline told reporters Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces need more than AK-47s weapons in the fight against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).
“Anti-tank weapons systems to address the vehicle-born IEDS. Certainly mortars would be something of help,” Votel said, according to CBS News. “Things that they would need of a force that’s going to conduct an assault.”“Anti-tank weapons systems to address the vehicle-born IEDS. Certainly mortars would be something of help,” Votel said, according to CBS News. “Things that they would need of a force that’s going to conduct an assault.”
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Syrian Kurds have complained that while asking for heavier weapons all the US has supplied are small arms and ammunition.Syrian Kurds have complained that while asking for heavier weapons all the US has supplied are small arms and ammunition.