Topic: Ypg

Turkey launched an extensive military campaign against Kurdish militant bases in northeastern Syria following a PKK suicide bombing in Ankara. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan informed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that all Kurdish Workers' Party positions are now legitimate targets, despite the U.S. downing a Turkish drone near American troops. The strikes have significantly damaged strategic oil infrastructure and pumping stations in the region.

A Syrian blogger claims that Kurdish militias have been ethnically cleansing Assyrian Christians and other minorities to establish a majority in controlled areas. The report suggests that local Christian populations prefer the Syrian army over Kurdish control for protection. Additionally, documents suggest General Mazlum Kobani was open to negotiations with Turkey as early as April.

The Turkish Foreign Minister states that President Trump is working on the extradition of cleric Fethullah Gulen, who resides in Pennsylvania. This development coincides with the U.S. decision to pull troops out of Syria and a proposed sale of Patriot missiles to Turkey. The hosts discuss the documentary "Killing Ed" and the influence of the Gulen movement's charter schools in the United States.

Turkey launched "Operation Olive Branch," a military offensive targeting Kurdish YPG forces in the Afrin region of Syria. The operation uses Turkish F-16s and ground rebels to oust groups that Turkey considers terrorists, despite those groups being U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS.

A donor known as "The Forgotten Jedi" provided a $330 donation and several military "morale patches" featuring runes and Valhalla imagery. The discussion touches on the use of such patches by US personnel working with groups like the YPG in Syria.

The Benghazi report mentions US personnel on a tarmac changing in and out of uniforms multiple times, which Mark Toner denied caused any delays. The hosts speculate that US forces may have been wearing local militia uniforms, such as those of the YPG, to circumvent constitutional requirements for congressional war approval. This practice is criticized as a violation of international law regarding combatant identification.

Photographic evidence from Agence France-Presse (AFP) revealed US Special Operations Forces on the front lines near Raqqa wearing YPG insignias. The Pentagon faced questioning regarding the "train and assist" mission and why American troops were wearing the patches of a group Turkey considers a terrorist organization.

The Pentagon ordered US troops to remove YPG patches after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu condemned the "double standards" of American allies. Cavusoglu sarcastically suggested US troops should also wear ISIS or Boko Haram insignias if they intend to blend in with local forces.

The ongoing siege of Kobani reveals complex tensions between Turkey, Kurdish fighters, and the Islamic State. Reports from the Turkish-Syrian border describe a casual atmosphere among spectators despite the proximity of ISIS militants. Turkey remains hesitant to arm Kurdish groups like the YPG due to their domestic strategic threats, leading to accusations of turning a blind eye to jihadist movements.