US says use of foreign insignia on uniforms not unusual

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

It’s not uncommon for U.S. special forces to wear foreign insignia on their uniforms when deployed abroad, a Pentagon spokesman said Thursday.

The comments come after photos surfaced of U.S. troops wearing Kurdish YPG patches in Syria.

“When they operate in certain areas they do what they can to, if you will, blend in with the community to enhance their own protection, their own security,” Peter Cook told reporters. "Our forces need to take the steps that they need to take in order to carry out their mission and to protect themselves."

The photos depict the special operators near the frontlines of a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)-led offensive on Daesh's Syrian stronghold, Raqqa. At least one photo was allegedly taken at al-Fatisah, a small village 16 miles (25 kilometers) from the city.

Cook did not comment directly on the pictures.

The SDF primarily consists of fighters from the YPG -- armed wing of the PYD -- but also includes a host of Arab, Christian and other fighters.

Turkey views the PYD and YPG as the terrorist organization PKK's Syrian offshoots, and has designated both as terror groups, while Washington continues to support the YPG as an "effective partner" in the fight against Daesh.

The U.S. has provided air cover to the group and U.S. troops have been sent on an advise and assist mission to help the YPG fight Daesh.

Asked why U.S. forces are so close to the frontlines, Cook maintained that they "are not at the frontline.

"They are, again, in an advisory role to those forces. And they're going to continue to do that," he said.