(11.2.2016) The United States has insisted on backing Syrian Kurdish militias in their fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), dismissing the Turkish president‘s demand that Washington end its relationship with Syrian Kurds and recognize them as terrorists.

US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner avoided responding directly to the comments of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and repeatedly highlighted the importance of Turkey, a major US ally, in efforts to destroy ISIL. Toner, who spoke to reporters in Washington, reiterated that the US has not changed its position in viewing Kurdish militias as their partners and not terrorists.