Turkey Proposes Joining U.S. in Raqqa Battle

Turkey has proposed forming a joint operation administration in Manbij between Arab fighters within the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian Free Army.

“The Arab elements of the SDF should learn to cooperate with the Free Syrian Army (FSA). We want the Arab elements of the SDF and the FSA to establish a joint administration in Manbij,” a senior Turkish official told Anadolou News Agency.

The official, whose name was not revealed, said that both the SDF and FSA should act together in a military offensive towards liberating Raqqa.

He reiterated Ankara’s refusal of the participation of any Kurdish militias in the operations.

The main group within the SDF is the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which Turkey charges is closely linked with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), is a terrorist organization according to Ankara.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had renewed Ankara’s wished to participate in the operations led by the U.S. in the liberation of Raqqa from ISIS terrorists, given that no Kuridsh Syrian fighters participate.

Read More- Asharq al Awsat

Image courtesy of Reuters