'Looking forward' to work with Congress on Türkiye’s F-16 request: Pentagon

By Can Hasasu

WASHINGTON (AA) – Standing in support of the Turkish military's modernization efforts, the US Defense Department is ready to work with Congress on the process of Türkiye's request to buy the latest model F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits, said the Pentagon press secretary.

"We fully support the modernization of the Turkish military and look forward to continuing to have the discussions and working with our Congress through the process of the foreign military sales process that we have. We believe that the F-16 obviously provides a critical capability and as a strategic NATO ally," Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder told Anadolu in an exclusive interview.

Ryder also expressed the US aim to maintain its collaboration with Türkiye "to ensure that the Turkish military possesses the advanced capabilities" necessary not only for protecting its citizens but also as a crucial member of the NATO alliance.

- Escalating attacks against US forces in Iraq, Syria, along with claims of withdrawal from Syria

After Israel launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip in the wake of an Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian group Hamas, there has been a significant increase in attacks on US bases in the region.

Following retaliatory strikes by US forces within Iraq, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called for the withdrawal of US troops from the country.

Stressing the US in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government, Ryder claimed that they have yet to receive an official request in this regard.

"The US is in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq in support of the enduring defeat of ISIS. And so that continues to be our focus," Ryder said.

"Today, we announced the higher Military Commission, which will include a series of meetings between us and Iraqi officials to start looking at the transition of the coalition military mission to an enduring bilateral security cooperation mission," he added.

During discussions with Iraqi officials, Ryder conveyed that the focus would be on the threat of DAESH as well as operational and environmental requirements, adding that the commission would also assess the capabilities of Iraqi security forces.

"I think it's important to understand, again, that the US is only in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq to help advise and assist in the defeat of ISIS mission and that we've fought side by side for many years when it comes to countering the threat that is ISIS," Ryder said.

Avoiding the use of the term "withdrawal," Ryder stated that, through discussions he defined as a "transition" process, a timeline would be established based on the fulfillment of conditions.

"Also, we'll look at the capability of the Iraqi Security Forces and we'll come to mutual agreements and decisions on how that transition will work and what that timeline will be," he said.

Ryder rejected the reports about the US planning to withdraw from Syria and redirecting the PKK/YPG towards collaboration with the Assad regime, stressing that the US' sole focus is to "defeat Daesh/ISIS."

"I can tell you that the stories claiming the US is looking to withdraw from Syria are just not true. Again, our focus there right now is on the enduring defeat of ISIS, and we will continue to stay focused on that mission," he added.

- Contribution that Türkiye, Greece can make to enhance regional security, stability 'very significant'

Regarding the normalization process between Ankara and Athens, Ryder said that the US viewed it as an "extremely positive development."

"When you look at the fact that both Türkiye and Greece have incredibly professional, highly capable advanced militaries and the fact that working together as NATO allies, those two countries can bring to the equation in terms of regional security and stability is very significant," Ryder added.

* Esra Tekin contributed the story in Istanbul