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US forces "advising, assisting" SDF N. Syria against IS

WAHSINGTON, May 28 (KUNA) -- US military affirmed the participation of its forces in "advising and assisting Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who are leading efforts in the campaign to defeat so-called Islamic State (IS) Daesh," US commander said.
In response to photographs of US service members in Syria shown wearing patches associated with the Kurdish YPG have recently circulated through traditional and social media, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) General Joseph Votel confirmed late Friday US forces are advising and assisting SDF and primarily Syrian Arab forces in northern Syria against IS.
"We've been very clear from the outset of this campaign that to defeat Daesh (IS) we would need to work with many different elements operating on the ground in Iraq and Syria," Votel clarified in a press release.
"In Syria, with the support of the 60-plus nation Counter-Daesh Coalition, the SDF, which includes the Syrian Arab Coalition, has made extraordinary progress over the past 20-plus months, retaking more than 18,000 square kilometers of territory previously held by the enemy," he added.
"We will continue to support their efforts specific to the fight against Daesh (IS)," Votel reiterated.
He lauded the "tremendous support provided by our Coalition partners, especially the Turks. They remain integral to the accomplishment of our common objective which is the ultimate defeat of Daesh (IS) in Iraq and Syria". (end) yt.gta