Turkish Coalition of America on Twitter Turkish Coalition of America on Facebook Turkish Coalition of America on YouTube
Turkish Coalition of America
  • Amerika Turk Koalisyonu

Why Turkish troops are in Afrin

A letter from TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy that appeared in the editorial page of the Washington Times on January 25, 2018.

Turkish forces recently launched “Operation Olive Branch” into northwestern Syria against the PKK-linked Kurdish militia in Afrin. For months, Turkish officials tried to convey to the U.S. that enlisting one terrorist group to fight another is a risky strategy, especially when the former group seeks the territorial dismemberment of Turkey. The Trump administration, in return, sent mixed messages and failed to fulfill its pledges to a NATO ally’s security.

Turkey has vociferously opposed the U.S. for its continued cooperation with the PKK-affiliated People’s Protection Units (YPG) since the Obama administration. YPG is the armed wing of the Syrian People’s Democratic Party (PYD), which is the Syrian component of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK.) The PKK is an armed terrorist organization, listed as such by the United States.

Though not widely reported in the U.S., dozens of Turkish civilians have been killed in cross border attacks by ISIL and YPG. Turkey, therefore, justifiably perceives the U.S. armament of the PKK’s Syrian militia as a national security threat. While the Trump administration still views the YPG as an effective fighting force against ISIL, it apparently fails to acknowledge Turkey’s decades-long fight against PKK terrorism. The U.S. also has provided no guarantees that the equipment being provided to the YPG will not work its way into the hands of PKK terrorists.

A permanent rupture in the U.S.-Turkey relationship over this issue would be a loss for both sides and a big win for ISIL and America’s other enemies. We urge the U.S. to reconsider its decision on arming the YPG-PKK and recommit to its strategic partnership with Turkey.

G. Lincoln McCurdy

President

  • Post this article to Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Print this page

2018 News and Events

  • TCA Celebrates African American-Turkish Connections Through Art ExhibitionTCA Celebrates African American-Turkish Connections Through Art Exhibitionread more
  • Art Exhibition on African American-Turkish Connections Through the ArtsArt Exhibition on African American-Turkish Connections Through the Artsread more
  • TCA Saddened at Passing of Ambassador Nabi SensoyTCA Saddened at Passing of Ambassador Nabi Sensoyread more
  • Amid afrin operation, former military officials tackle u.s.-turkey relations under natoAmid afrin operation, former military officials tackle u.s.-turkey relations uread more
  • TCA Statement on Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, SyriaTCA Statement on Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syriaread more
  • Remembering the Victims of Armenian TerrorismRemembering the Victims of Armenian Terrorismread more
  • TCA Hosts Graduate Students from Bahcesehir UniversityTCA Hosts Graduate Students from Bahcesehir Universityread more
  • Why Turkish troops are in AfrinWhy Turkish troops are in AfrinTurkish forces recently launched “Oper...read more
  • TCA Statement on the PKK-YPG ConnectionTCA Statement on the PKK-YPG ConnectionThe Turkish Coalition of America is con...read more
  • Turkish Americans Attend Tenth Annual Turkish-Canadian Youth CongressTurkish Americans Attend Tenth Annual Turkish-Canadian Youth Congressread more
  • TCA Announces 11th Annual  Washington Summer Internship ProgramTCA Announces 11th Annual Washington Summer Internship Programread more
  • Home
  • About US
  • Support TCA
  • Contact
  • Scholarships
    • Study Abroad Scholarships for American Students of Minority and Heritage Communities
    • Scholarships by Other Organizations
    • Previous TCA Programs
  • Internships
    • TCA Washington Summer Internship Program
    • TCA - Atlantic Council Internships
    • Previous Programs
  • Youth Congress
    • 2017 Youth Congress
    • 2016 Youth Congress
    • 2015 Youth Congress
    • 2014 Youth Congress
    • Turkish-Canadian Youth Congress
  • Grants
    • Turkey Study Tour Grants
    • Academic Grants
    • Public Awareness / Grassroots Grants
    • Heritage Grants
    • Humanitarian Grants
  • Issues & Information
    • U.S.-Turkey Relations
    • Turkish History
    • PKK Terrorism
    • Armenian Issue
    • Turkey and Europe
    • Cyprus Issue
    • Turkish Minorities Abroad
    • TCA Issue Papers
    • Reading Lists and General Resources on Turkey
  • Turkish American Community
    • Turkish American Appointed Officials
    • Turkish Americans Elected to Political Office
    • Elected Officials with Turkish Heritage
    • Turkish American Organizations
    • Turkish American Publications and Broadcasts
    • Turkish American Online Services
    • Prominent Turkish Americans
    • Turk Evleri
  • U.S. Congress
  • The Turkey Caucus
  • News & Events
    • News and Events
    • TCA Issue Papers
    • TCA Newsletters
  • Media
    • TCA in the News
    • Posters and Advertisements
    • Submit a Media Request
  • TAKE ACTION
  • LEGAL RIGHTS
  • CULTURE
Subscribe to Newsletter
  • TCA Washington Summer Internship Program
  • Support the Turkish Coalition of America by Shopping at AmazonSmile
  • TCA Youth Congress
  • TCA Minority Scholarship Program
  • Turkish Coalition of America on YouTube
Turkish Coalition of America
Amerika Turk Koalisyonu
  • Washington, DC
    1510 H St. NW Suite 900
    Washington, DC 20005
    Phone: 202.370.1399
    Fax: 202.370.1398
  • Boston
    48 Jonas Brown Circle
    Concord, MA 01742
    Phone: 978.318.0047
    Fax: 978.318.0037
  •  
     
     
  • Copyright © 2018 Turkish Coalition of America. All rights reserved.
    Site Map