INTERVIEW - Ex-SDF man tells of US support for PKK/PYD

ANKARA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 01: Interview of a former spokesperson and defector from the Syrian SDF, a group dominated by the terrorist PKK/PYD, on November 01, 2017. Talal Silo, a former high-ranking commander, and spokesperson of the U.S.-backed force who defected from the terrorist group last month, is currently in Turkey. QUESTION: In the last period, war and international competition in Deir-ez Zour near the Iraqi border intensified. What happened behind the scenes? ANSWER: In Sep. 9 we started the operation [against Daesh as the SDF]. I announced it. The target was the remaining al-Jazeera region in Syria and the north of Euphrates River. Neither us nor the YPG had the means to start an operation against Daesh. This operation was realized with U.S. support. The issue was definitely not related to oil. The target was the reaching of these forces under the name of the SDF to the Bukamal and Mayadin districts before the regime forces. Thanks to this, a barricade would be founded between Syria and Iraq. The U.S. tried to help in the beginning but failed. In the beginning we were also harassed by the Russians. Many people were even killed in Russian and regime attacks. The U.S. and SDF were fighting shoulder to shoulder. Regime forces were away. But the U.S., seeing that the regime is reaching those areas rapidly, mobilized the SDF. It requested from Sahin Cilo [YPG regional figure] to do this job. There is something that most people do not know. Many posts that were taken, were left to the Russians. Even Konoko gas plant and the surrounding oil fields were left to the Russians. When these transfers were made, the regime and the Russians did not advance further. QUESTION: How does the PKK operate petroleum in Deir-ez Zour and Hasakah? ANSWER: The YPG and PKK misused the oil fields in Rumaylan after capturing them. Firstly, they were exporting this oil over Daesh areas. Ali Seyr, who is the PKK's responsible figure of the PKK. (Footage by Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)