Syria Support Movement solidarity with the Syrian people
from The News Desk at The Cradle, May 25, 2023
Washington admitted on 31 May it has sent the High Mobile Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to Syria, but denied Turkish media reports that alleged the systems are destined for Kurdish militants Ankara has labeled “terrorists.”
“Yes, there are HIMARS in [Syria] for force protection,” a US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson told Middle East Eye (MEE).
“CENTCOM is not providing the HIMARS or training to the SDF,” the spokesperson said, adding that the US will “not disclose the location” of the HIMARS due to security risks.
The US army’s comments come in the wake of several Turkish media reports suggested the HIMARS had been transferred to the People’s Protection Units (YPG), whose fighters make up the backbone of the SDF.
“The US transferred the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) – a light multiple rocket launcher mounted on a standard Army Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV) to the PKK’s Syrian offshoot, the YPG terrorists in Syria,” Turkish media outlet Daily Sabah wrote on 31 May, citing unnamed sources.
Ankara has long accused foreign intelligence, namely US intelligence, of supporting the PKK. While Washington denies this, it openly backs the Kurdish SDF – which is closely linked to the PKK and other Kurdish groups – under the pretext of the US coalition’s fight against ISIS in Syria.
As the result of this, Ankara has launched multiple military operations in Syria, and since 2017 has been occupying significant parts of the country under the pretext of securing its border. It also launches frequent drone strikes against Kurdish positions, which have resulted in civilian deaths.
Recently, Ankara and Damascus have been engaged in a Russian and Iranian-sponsored effort to reconcile ties.
However, the Syrian government has asserted that these reconciliation efforts cannot be successful without a full Turkish military withdrawal from Syria and an end to its support for extremist factions such as the Syrian National Army (SNA) militant coalition.
