ANKARA

Türkiye on Monday demanded an explanation over US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley's visit to regions occupied by the YPG/PKK terror group in northeastern Syria.

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

Sources also said Flake was asked to give an explanation about the visit.

Joint Staff spokesman Col. Dave Butler told Anadolu that "General Milley visited Northeast Syria today 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 added.

The YPG is the Syrian affiliate of the PKK, a designated terror organization in the US and Türkiye.

US support for the YPG has long strained relations between Ankara and Washington.