President Donald Trump approves plan to arm Kurdish groups fighting ISIS in Syria, despite Turkey’s objections
As it happened …
Note the text below may not be verbatim. We’ll post the transcript as soon at it becomes available.
And that’s a wrap.
Many thanks (including mine) now to Col Dorrian.
Ryan Dillon will start next week.
Q from Anadolu: What will happen to arms after the defeat of ISIS?
Dorrian: Those weapons are going to be expended and used in order to defeat ISIS … the availability of ammunition is also a limiting factor, there is a natural limitation on what can be done once those supplies are expended.
How will you ensure that those arms will not be turned to others?
Dorrian: It’s not just the metering … we are observing what’s going on, ensuring they are being used for the purpose they are given. I won’t get into a speculative discussion.
Q The equipment to be distributed to Kurds/SAC – how much training will be needed? Days? Where? Has that begun?
Dorrian: We have trained a significant number of forces throughout the campaign … There probably will be some additional training efforts
Q K24: Partnered forces south of Raqqa – are they SDF, who are they?
Dorrian: Those are vetted Syrian opposition … There are more elements that SAC and SDF …
Q Are you continuing to develop partnered forces? Is that ongoing?
Dorrian: Absolutely …