Top US general ‘met only with US troops’ while in Syria, says State Department

ANKARA

The US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff “met only with US troops while in Syria,” according to the US State Department.

“Of course, when it comes to General Milley’s visit, we’d refer you to the Department of Defense; however, it’s our understanding that General Milley met only with US troops while in Syria. It was only an interaction with American service members,” Ned Price, a state department spokesman, said at a daily press briefing.

According to diplomatic sources, US Ambassador to Ankara Jeff Flake was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Monday over Milley's visit.

On Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned US Ambassador to Ankara Jeff Flake and sought an explanation over Milley's visit to regions occupied by the YPG/PKK terror group in northeastern Syria, according to diplomatic sources.

“We can confirm that Ambassador Flake did go the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs today for meetings and for discussions,” Price said.

Joint Staff spokesman Col. Dave Butler told Anadolu that Milley visited northeast Syria to meet with “(US) commanders and troops."

“While there he received updates on the counter-ISIS mission, inspected force protection measures, and assessed repatriation efforts for the Al Hol refugee camp,” Butler said.

In its almost 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

The YPG is the Syrian affiliate of the PKK terror group. US support for the YPG has long strained relations between Ankara and Washington.