US delegation visits north Syria, confirms support for Kurdish-led forces

KOBANI (Kurdistan 24) – A delegation of the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (IS) on Saturday visited north Syria, providing medical supplies to a military hospital in the Kurdish-held areas.

The delegation was headed by the adviser for the US State Department in northern Syria, William Robak, as well as several coalition officials.

“The visit today was to donate some medical equipment to Kobani hospital, and our support will continue on many other aspects,” Robak told reporters in a visit to Kobani town on the border with Turkey.

Robak also thanked the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for defeating IS and confirmed the US’ constant support until the extremist group’s final defeat in Syria.

During the visit, Robak held a meeting with the co-chair of Kobani Executive Council Anwar Muslim who highly appreciated the visit.

Robak, who served as the US ambassador to Bahrain, also visited Raqqa city and met with the civilian council there.

The former US ambassador said he wanted to have an idea on the circumstances of residents and see the areas suffering from destruction in Raqqa.

In June, US Army General Joseph Votel also visited north Syria and confirmed Washington’s support for the local forces and administration in the city of Manbij.  

Votel’s visit came after Turkish, and US troops about two months ago made independent patrols along the line separating Turkish-controlled areas of northern Syria from the town of Manbij, which is controlled by a local force affiliated to the US-backed SDF, spearhead by the Kurdish YPG forces.

Such visits of US delegations and support for the Kurdish-led administration in north Syria (known as Rojava) have always infuriated Turkey.

The dispute between Turkey and the US stems from the role of the YPG, who provide the leadership of the SDF which is battling IS in Syria.

The YPG has since announced the withdrawal of military advisers from Manbij, stating that none of its fighters remain in the city.

Turkey views the SDF’s Kurdish leadership, the YPG, as the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which it, along with the US and European Union, consider a terrorist organization.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

(Reporting in Kurdish by Redwan Bezar, Kurdistan 24 correspondent in Kobani)