US forces on ground in Syria – assisting Kurdish rebels

US CENTCOM chief Gen. Lloyd Austin reportedly revealed Wednesday that US Special Operations Forces are “engaged” with Kurdish People Protection Units (YPG) rebel forces fighting in Syria.  He said they were there to “advise and assist” and “not engaged in any combat operations.” YPG combatants have seized large stretches of northern Syria from ISIS and Syrian government forces. Turkey, which is America’s ally against ISIS, is also fighting the Turkish-Kurdish PKK, which is a partner of the YPG.