USA: We are discussing the PKK/YPG, which is a quite difficult issue, with Turkey.

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller answered questions from AA reporter regarding the terrorist organization PKK/YPG during the daily press briefing. Miller responded to the question about the U.S. support for the PKK/YPG, which uses the name SDF in Syria, being one of the main points of disagreement between the two countries and how the process regarding this issue is progressing, by referring to the sensitive transition process in Syria.

"THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE AND QUITE DIFFICULT"

The U.S. spokesperson stated regarding the PKK/YPG presence in Syria, "This issue is an extremely sensitive and quite difficult topic that we continue to work on with our Turkish counterparts. This subject has constituted a significant part of the discussions between (Secretary of State) Antony Blinken and Turkish counterparts." he said.

"WE RECOGNIZE TURKEY'S RIGHT TO TAKE LEGITIMATE ACTION"

Miller, while responding to a question about whether Turkey's fight against the PKK also includes the PKK/YPG in Syria, stated, "We recognize Turkey's right to take legitimate action against a terrorist organization that the U.S. also designates as a terrorist organization, namely the PKK." However, he did not comment further on the PKK/YPG issue.

"WE ARE HAVING DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR NATO ALLIES"

Miller, without going into details about how the situation of the PKK/YPG will be positioned in this sensitive process in Syria, stated, "We are having discussions with our NATO allies on this issue and trying to determine what the best course of action will be." He emphasized that they wish to conduct a healthy transition process without entering into ethnic or sectarian conflicts in Syria and that all actors should avoid any actions that would provoke unrest and escalate tensions in the region.

"WE HAVE ALSO CLEARLY WARNED ISRAEL"

In response to the question, "Does your assessment also include Israel?" Miller replied, "We have clearly stated to all parties, including the Israeli government, that we want to see actions that will enhance stability and do not want to see actions that will worsen the situation."

"ISRAEL'S OCCUPATION STEP IS TEMPORARY"

The U.S. spokesperson argued that Israel's step to occupy a buffer zone in Syria is "temporary" and was taken to eliminate the potential terrorist threat in the resulting power vacuum.

A STATEMENT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

In a statement from the White House, it was noted that Turkey's legitimate concerns regarding the terrorist threat at its border with Syria are understood, stating, "There is no doubt that the Turks are an important player here, regardless of the outcome in Syria."

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby, recalling a reporter's question about Trump's statement that "the key to Syria is in Turkey's hands," responded, "As has been the case for the last 14 years, there is no doubt that the Turks are an important player here, regardless of the outcome in Syria."

Kirby noted that Blinken went to Turkey precisely for this reason and addressed all issues related to Syria there, stating regarding the PKK/YPG threat in Syria, "As I have said in the past, there are legitimate concerns regarding terrorists. There is a terrorist threat at the Syrian border, and Turkish citizens have fallen victim to terrorist activities there; you cannot blame the Turks for being concerned about this threat."

Kirby explained that the U.S. also prioritizes preventing the resurgence of ISIS in Syria and that it has relations with the PKK/YPG, which uses the name SDF, stating that both their focus and that of the SDF should remain on ISIS, and that they continue to discuss the points of disagreement on this issue with Turkey.