The U.S. Department of Defense has reported ongoing coordination with Turkey regarding recent Turkish military operations targeting PKK affiliated sites in Syria. These strikes followed an attack on the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) facility.
Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder highlighted the strong communication between U.S. and Turkish defense officials, especially after the recent phone call between Turkey’s Defense Minister Yasar Guler and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The U.S. has reiterated its acknowledgment of Turkey’s “legitimate security concerns” following the TUSAS attack in Ankara.
Ryder emphasized that the U.S. and Turkey, as NATO allies, maintain open lines of communication to support each other’s security needs. He confirmed that Turkey’s actions regarding these security concerns remain under close dialogue.
Mazloum Abdi, leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), denied involvement in the TUSAS attack and criticized the U.S. and Russia for insufficient opposition to Turkey’s strikes on SDF-controlled areas. Meanwhile, Deputy Pentagon Spokesperson Sabrina Singh expressed condolences to families affected by the attack and affirmed Turkey’s right to hold the attackers accountable.
Turkey’s UN Representative Ahmet Yildiz called on the Security Council to label the PKK and its affiliates—the YPG and SDF—as terrorist organizations. In response to the TUSAS attack, Turkish forces launched operations against PKK targets in northern Syria and Iraq, destroying strategic sites linked to the group.
