The Pentagon confirmed today (September 16, 2016) that scores of US Special Operations troops have been deployed to northern Syria to help Turkey and Syrian rebels fight the Islamic State (IS) group, according to the AFP (Agence France-Presse) website.
But as footage emerged of the rebels hurling insults and threats at the American special operators, U.S. officials were forced to play down reports that the troops did not receive a warm welcome to the frontline.
Last month, Turkey launched an offensive into northern Syria dubbed "Euphrates Shield," designed to cut a major IS group supply line, and also to counter the advance of U.S.-backed Kurdish troops. The Kurds are trying to establish their own independent state in Turkey.
U.S. forces are working alongside the Syrian Kurds of the YPG in the fight against the Islamic State, but Turkey regards the group as terrorists and allies of the PKK separatist group fighting within its own borders.
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