AS IT IS 2016-02-24 Turkey Demands Total US Support Against YPG（在线收听）

AS IT IS 2016-02-24 Turkey Demands Total US Support Against YPG

Turkey asked the United States for unconditional support in the fight against the Syrian Kurdish YPG.

The United States supports the YPG, also known as People’s Protection Units, in the battles against the Islamic State in Syria. The Turks believe the YPG was responsible for Wednesday’s bomb attack in Ankara that killed scores of people.

The YPG is a section of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party. Turkey says they are terrorists. The U.S. does not agree.

American officials could not confirm nor deny that the YPG was behind the bombing. A Kurdish militant group based in Turkey – the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) – claimed responsibility for the bombing. A Turkish government official rejected TAK’s statement as a false claim last week.

President Barack Obama spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by telephone Friday. Obama shared his concern about the fighting in Syria. Obama promised the U.S.’s support for the Turks.

The two NATO members said they would remain united against the Islamic State.

Words in This Story

unconditional -- adj. without limits, complete

scores of - adj. a large number; many

section - n. part of a larger group of organization

NATO – n. short for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization