US supplies weapons to Kurdish militants free of charge: Erdoghan

Turkish President Rajab Tayyib Erdoghan says the US and its allies have been providing free weapons to Kurdish militants operating in northern Syria in a move that poses a threat to Turkey's security.

In an interview with the Turkish NTV news channel on Saturday, Erdoghan accused the US and its allies of refusing to sell weapons to Ankara while arming the outlawed Kurdish forces.

“We cannot buy weapons from the US with our money, but unfortunately, the US and coalition forces give these weapons, this ammunition, to terrorist organizations for free,” he said. “So where does the threat come from? It comes primarily from strategic partners.” 

The Turkish president also noted that Washington continues to dispatch arms convoys to Syria. "The US sent 5,000 trucks loaded with weapons to northern Syria," he said.

The US views the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) as an ally in Syria. The militant group forms the backbone of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which is being trained, equipped and protected by the Americans. 

Last December, US President Donald Trump approved providing weapons worth $393 million to what Washington calls partners in Syria, including the YPG. 

The following month, the US announced plans to create a 30,000-strong force comprised of Kurdish militants, which would be deployed along the Turkish border. 

The US measures infuriated Ankara, which views the YPG as the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Erdoghan accused Washington of planning to form a "terror army" in Syria. On January 20, Turkey launched an operation against the YPG in the Syrian city of Afrin.

SS