The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are the Kurds we have backed since the First Gulf War. You're letting a word piss you off, Tyr. You must really hate Dems
It's THEIR name. Considering the options in that neck of the woods, they ARE a "democratic" force. NOT the Democratic Party here in the US. The Northeastern corner of Syria and Northwestern region of Iraq with Turkey on their northern border s an area the Kurds grabbed during the Gulf War and we provided a no-fly zone to keep Saddam out and the Turks at bay after Saddam gassed the Kurds and Turkey repeatedly threatened them. The no-fly zone was called Operation Northern Watch (u) and I don't know if has been kept in place since Barry declared victory and pulled our troops out.
When we decided to go back in after ISIS, our advisers and Air support backed the SDF. We still do. Obviously
. They've done everything we've asked with the hopes of coming out the other end with their own country in the region they currently occupy. I don't know about all that, but I do think we owe it to them to not let them get wiped off the planet by Turkey and Assad's government.
The US has backed the rebel forces against Assad in the past. More of our meddling. I don't believe at this time we are supporting the anti-government forces in Syria. ALL players are supposed to be focused on ISIS. Instead, everyone seems to be putting their own agendas first. It's bringing some pretty powerful antagonists all into the same region fighting proxie wars. Namely, The US, Russia, Israel, pro-gov't Syria, Turkey, Iran, Syrian rebels, and the SDF. Lot of matches in a room full of gunpowder.