Live TV RADIO

KURDISTAN24

  • Erbil
  • -
  • Türkçe
  • |
  • English
  • |
  • Kurdî
  • |
  • فارسی
  • |
  • عربي
  • |
  • كوردی
KURDISTAN 24
  • News
    • Kurdistan
    • Middle East
    • World
  • Analysis
    • Kurdistan
    • Middle East
    • Features
  • Economy
    • Kurdistan
    • World
  • Interviews
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Social
  • Opinions
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Social
  • Culture
    • Kurdistan
    • World
  • Sports
    • Kurdistan
    • World
  • Features
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Social

About Us | Contact Us  | Apps

World

US clarifies confusion over 2019 funds for SDF

Laurie  Mylroie Laurie Mylroie |

US clarifies confusion over 2019 funds for SDF
The United States views the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) as a valuable ally in the ongoing battle against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria. (Photo: Archive)
United States YPG SDF Pentagon

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan 24) – On Tuesday, the Pentagon clarified a misunderstanding that had arisen over its requested funding for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget.

According to the budget that it sent to Congress, the Defense Department has asked for $300 million for funding its partner forces in Syria that have been fighting the Islamic State (IS).

The largest element among those forces is the SDF, which is led by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). Turkey considers the YPG a terrorist organization because of its links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The US does not, and, rather, sees the YPG as a valuable partner.

On Monday, the Pentagon released its proposed budget for the next fiscal year (which runs from Oct. 1, 2018, to Sep. 30, 2019). The budget requires Congressional approval—and may be changed by Congress—before it becomes law.

The FY 2019 budget includes $300 million for the Counter-IS Train and Equip Fund (CTEF) in Syria. The Pentagon describes that money as funding for the Vetted Syrian Opposition (VSO). But, as the SDF constitutes, by far, the largest element in the VSO, it will receive the biggest share of the $300 million.

The budget also includes $250 million for “Other”—which Pentagon officials described as “border security.”

On Monday, the same day that the budget was released, Turkey’s official Anadolu Agency reported that the $250 million was for an SDF border force and concluded that the Trump administration would be appropriating a total of $550 million to support the YPG.

A month ago, officers from the US-led Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), the coalition fighting IS, announced that the US would be forming a 30,000-man Border Security Force in Syria.

Half of the new Border Security Force would be composed of SDF fighters, while the other half was still to be recruited. The mid-January announcement immediately drew Ankara’s ire, and US officials, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, were quick to explain that CJTF-OIR had “misspoke” and “we are not creating a border security force at all.”

But, the mistrust lingers. The conclusion of Turkish media that the $250 million in the FY 2019 budget was meant for an SDF border force was erroneous.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon’s Public Affairs office clarified that the border security elements to be supported by the $250 million were not Syrian.

“The $250 million is requested to provide border security support for the governments of Jordan and Lebanon, not for partner forces in Syria,” a spokesperson told Kurdistan 24.

The new budget also includes $850 million for CTEF in Iraq. Previously, the US has allocated specific monies for the Kurdish Peshmerga.

Kurdistan 24 asked the Pentagon whether any of the $850 million for Iraq in the FY 2019 budget was dedicated for use by the Peshmerga but has received no answer.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

Related Gallery
Related Article
US needs to stay in Syria; its only partner is the YPG
US needs to stay in Syria; its only partner is the YPG
February 01-2018    08:46   AM
Syrians prefer SDF to Syrian regime, Deputy Coalition Commander says
Syrians prefer SDF to Syrian regime, Deputy Coalition Commander says
August 24-2017    06:21   AM
Last 24 Hour
01 Kurdistan and Iraq unify customs tariffs to facilitate commercial trade
02 SDF says will focus on liberation of Afrin, sleeper cells after ISIS defeat
03 Iraqi teachers begin two-day strike, demand improved livelihoods, education reform
04 Syria’s Assad says Syrian Kurds should not rely on US
05 Syrian Kurds call on EU countries to help create safe zone in Syria
06 Kurdistan Parliament convenes to elect leadership; PUK not present
Last week
01 Kurdistan and Iraq unify customs tariffs to facilitate commercial trade
02 SDF says will focus on liberation of Afrin, sleeper cells after ISIS defeat
03 KDP, PUK agree on new Kurdistan government, president, Kirkuk governor
04 UK foreign minister praises ‘incredible courage’ of Kurdish SDF fighters
05 First British female ISIS member sentenced in UK has been released
06 WATCH: Iraq removes domestic custom points on roads to Kurdistan Region
Last month
01 EXCLUSIVE: German ISIS wife explains why she joined, traveled to Syria
02 US forces patrol Mosul street; Iraqi militia claims to have blocked them
03 King arrives in Baghdad for Spain's first head of state visit to Iraq in 40 years
04 ISIS suicide attack targets Kurdish-US convoy in Syria's Hasakah
05 Kurdistan and Iraq unify customs tariffs to facilitate commercial trade
06 US Senator’s call for authorization of force to protect Syrian Kurds
Most Popular
    opinion
    The Lady with the Knife
    Despite being banned by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and made illegal, FGM is still practiced today. The “lady with the knife” has become better at performing secretly in homes of families who generously compensate her for her service.
    The Lady with the Knife
    Arayish Barzinjee-Martsch
    How Iraq’s Supreme Court can end ongoing legal battle over MPs retirement benefits
    Majida Ismael:
    How Iraq’s Supreme Court can end ongoing legal battle over MPs retirem...
    Donald Trump’s Syria withdrawal a return to his anti-war, campaign self
    Adam Lucente:
    Donald Trump’s Syria withdrawal a return to his anti-war, campaign sel...
    Who speaks for the Kurds?
    Paul Davis:
    Who speaks for the Kurds?
    • News 
    • Kurdistan
    • Middle East
    • World
    • Section
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Culture
    • Interviews
    • Opinions
    • Service
    • Frequencies
    • Live
    • Apps
    • RSS
    © Copyright 2019 Kurdistan 24 – All rights reserved

    Sitemap | Terms and Conditions | About us | Contact Us  | Work For Us


    Design & Development by: AwroSoft (AP.)