Sunday, February 21, 2016

Turkey Appeals to US Not to Back Kurds in Syria; US Says It Will Go on Backing Kurds Fighting IS

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday called on the U.S. to give unconditional support to Turkey in the fight against Syrian Kurdish militants, illustrating growing tension between Ankara and Washington over policy in northern Syria -- where Turks and Kurds are at war -- the Yahoo News website reports today (February 21, 2016).

Davutoglu also said Turkey would tighten security across the country -- especially in the capital -- after a car laden with explosives was detonated near military buses in Ankara four days ago, killing 28 and wounding more than 60 people.

Turkey claims the Syrian Kurdish YPG -- which the U.S. is backing in its fight against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria -- was involved in the bombing, working with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Despite Turkey's pleas for the U.S. not to support the Kurds, a State Department spokesman said that the U.S. would continue to back groups in Syria -- including the Kurdish YPG -- that are fighting the Islamic State terror group.

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