It turns out the U.S. is not the only western country to deploy forces on the ground in Syria. France confirmed the presence of its special forces in Syria yesterday June 9, multiple outlets reported. Previously, it was only known that the country had forces in neighboring Iraq-specifically in the country’s autonomous Kurdish region. The special forces are there to assist the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in fighting Daesh (ISIS).
This is the latest report of foreign troops on the ground in Syria to combat Daesh, and it could get crowded. U.S. special forces are in the country with the SDF as well, and recently drew the ire of Turkey after being photographed wearing the patches of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) on their uniforms. The Kurdish nationalist YPG has ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Turkey, which is in an active conflict with the Turkish government.
And this is not to mention the presence of Iranian forces in Syria, as well as Hezbollah from Lebanon. And Russia is considering deploying special forces of its own to Syria, and reportedly has had military advisors in the country at times since 2015.
The presence of French forces in Syria may bolster the SDF in the fight against Daesh. At the same time, it might further alienate Turkey, whose NATO alliance with the U.S. (and France) has been strained over U.S. support for the YPG via the SDF.
--AL
