Turkish commissioned officer refuses medal of honor by US military over YPG support
Turkish commissioned officer refused a medal of honor by the U.S. military Thursday over the Trump administration’s recent decision to provide PKK-affiliated Democratic Union Party’s (PYD) armed wing, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), with heavy weapons.
The military officer, whose name was not disclosed by the military sources, refused to accept an award by U.S. Lieutenant Colonel David K. Leahy for his outstanding success at the Incirlik Air Base.
According to Dogan News Agency’s report, the officer did not accept the medal but gave a brief speech, saying he cannot accept an award represented by those who are in cooperation with the YPG.
“My honor would not allow me to accept this medal,” he reportedly said before leaving the ceremony.
A senior U.S. official on Tuesday confirmed that current administration has approved U.S. supplying heavier weapons to the YPG, to allegedly fight Daesh. “The approval is effective immediately, but the timeline for weapons delivery is to be refined,” the official said.
