The U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State has boosted support for its Syrian allies since President Donald Trump took office, supplying armored vehicles for the first time as they prepare to launch a new phase in their campaign for Raqqa, a spokesman for the militia said on Tuesday.
The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, which is dominated by the Kurdish YPG militia, is waging a campaign aimed at taking Raqqa city, Islamic State's base of operations in Syria.
A Pentagon spokesman said on Tuesday the vehicles had been supplied to Arab elements within the SDF "as part of our existing authorities to enable them," and there had been no change in policy.