Pentagon reportedly preparing to arm Syrian Kurds with antitank weapons despite Turkey's opposition

The Pentagon was preparing to further arm Syrian Kurds with anti-tank weapons despite objections of the Turkish government, according to U.S. media reports.

Citing U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, the Wall Street Journal reported that the White House was divided over the Pentagon plan to arm the Syrian Kurds, a key force in the fight against the Islamic State (IS).

While the anti-tank weapons could be used to thwart IS suicide bombing attacks by trucks, the weaponry could also be used to strike Turkish tanks in Syria.

The revelation came less than a week after U.S. President Donald Trump approved a plan to arm Syrian Kurds, a local force backed by the U.S.-led coalition against the IS.

The approval for the plan came despite strong objections of the Turkish government, which views the Kurdish fighters as terrorists.

The news also came as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was about to meet Trump at the White House later on Tuesday. The issue of U.S. arming of the Syrian Kurds is expected to be discussed during the meeting. Enditem