100 US trucks resupply YPG/PKK terrorists in Syria

By Mohammed Misto, Levent Tok and Selen Temizer

ANKARA (AA) - A convoy of 100 U.S. trucks were seen carrying closed chests, tankers and SUVs from Iraq to a YPG/PKK-occupied area in Syria.

The vehicles entered Syria from Iraq's Semalka Border Crossing early on Tuesday, according to local sources speaking anonymously due to fears of safety.

Sources said Hummer brand vehicles were seen on the trucks, besides tankers and closed crates which they purported may be carrying ammunition.

Washington maintains nearly 2,000 troops in Syria following its announcement that only a few hundred would remain after withdrawal efforts of its forces.

In December last year, U.S. President Donald Trump declared victory over the Daesh terror group, and signaled a "slow and highly coordinated pullout" of U.S. troops from Syria.

The White House announced in February plans to keep 200 troops in northeastern Syria as part of an international peacekeeping force, in addition to 200 others that were to secure a garrison at a strategic Syrian border town.

Although the date set for the pullout has passed, the U.S. has yet to reduce its military presence in Syria.

On the contrary, 300 trucks were sent into areas occupied by YPG/PKK terrorists in Syria from the Iraqi side at the beginning and the end of February.

On Feb. 4, the U.S. delivered nearly 150 truckloads of armored vehicles and equipment to depots belonging to the YPG/PKK in Harab Isk and Sarrin villages.

Turkey has long criticized the U.S. working with and supplying arms and ammunition to the terrorist YPG/PKK, for the ostensible purpose of defeating the terrorist group Daesh. Turkish officials argue that using one terrorist group to fight another makes no sense.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children. The PYD/YPG is its Syrian branch, and it also works under the label SDF.

* Writing by Sibel Morrow