Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Denver news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Des Moines news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Minneapolis-St. Paul news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Tampa Bay news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Charlotte news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
YPG fighter standing guards as U.S. forces take up positions in the northern village of Darbasiyah, Syria / AP
The U.S. is now providing arms to Kurdish forces in Syria, NBC News reports, citing U.S. defense officials.
The move to arm the forces, known as the Y.P.G., was approved earlier this month against opposition from Turkey, which considers the militia a terrorist group. The U.S. began providing arms and heavy equipment over the past 24 hours.
What's next: The Pentagon says the Kurdish militia will be a key player in efforts to re-take Raqqa. Providing heavy equipment is intended as a step toward an offensive on the de facto ISIS capital.