US forces build new military base in northern Syria

The United States is reportedly constructing a new military base in northern Syria to support the Syrian Kurdish group YPG, an offshoot of the PKK terrorist organization, which has been cornered by Türkiye-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) forces since the fall of Bashar Assad's regime.

Local journalists reported that 13 trucks bearing US flags and carrying concrete construction blocks arrived in Ain al-Arab, also known as Kobani, a stronghold of the PKK/YPG, Caliber.Az reports citing Turkish media.

Sources indicated that the US military is relocating materials from a base in neighboring Iraq to build the new Syrian base. These shipments include concrete blocks, construction materials, and other essential supplies.

Earlier this week, the US military also transferred dozens of Bradley armored vehicles to the region, along with air defence systems and additional armored vehicles, to further support the YPG in its operations.

Ongoing clashes between the SNA and PKK/YPG forces in the city of Manbij have resulted in casualties. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 24 fighters, predominantly from the SNA, were killed in the fighting, including 23 SNA fighters and one member of the YPG-affiliated Manbij Military Council.

The PKK, which is designated as a terrorist group by the US, European Union, and Türkiye, has been responsible for more than 40,000 deaths in Türkiye, including civilians, and seeks to establish a self-declared “Kurdish state” in northern Iraq and Syria.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War, the US has deployed troops and military equipment to northeastern Syria under the pretext of fighting Daesh. However, Ankara considers the YPG to be aligned with the PKK and argues that it should not have a presence in Syria’s future. Türkiye has also launched multiple operations against PKK/YPG forces since 2016, capturing several towns, including Manbij and Deir el-Zour, in the past month.

While US forces remain stationed in northern Syria, unconfirmed reports suggest that the incoming administration under President-elect Donald Trump may consider withdrawing US troops from the region.

By Vafa Guliyeva