WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The United States has seen Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Syria cooperating militarily with Russian forces, US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Lloyd Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.
"We have seen some cooperation between the YPG element that is in the north-western part of the country with the Russians," Austin stated.
The SOCOM commander went on the characterize the cooperation as "infrequent" and one that is based on YPG needs, where Russia provides "them capability when they need it most."
Russia has repeatedly called for an end to the Turkish assaults on Kurdish YPG units engaged in counterterrorism operations in northern Syria.
Much of the violence between Syrian parties to the conflict has declined in the aftermath of the February 27 ceasefire, brokered by the United States and Russia, which international authorities have said is largely holding.