The last U.S. ambassador to Syria has criticized the White House’s “ridiculous” policy on the war-torn state.

Robert Ford, who was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2010, a year before the conflict broke out, said contradictions in Washington’s approach exposed the government’s “hypocrisy”.

The war in Syria has been one of Obama’s most contentious foreign policy issues, with the U.S. torn over how to address the atrocities committed by the regime of Bashar al-Assad while at the same time effectively combating Daesh.

This has led to it supporting elements such as the PYD in northern Syria, alienating its NATO ally Turkey.

“The American government finds itself in the ridiculous situation of saying that because of some Nusra elements in Aleppo city it’s OK for the Syrian government to attack Aleppo,” he told Anadolu Agency, referring to al-Qaeda’s Syrian offshoot. “This has made a completely ridiculous position.”

One key feature of Obama’s Syria policy has been its efforts to provide training and supplies to “moderate” opposition groups.

Ford said the administration avoided supporting groups fighting Assad that were seen as “Islamist” by the West because of their potential ties to groups such as Nusra Front.

However, by supporting the PYD’s military wing, the YPG, the U.S. is backing a group listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey because of its ties to the PKK, which has been at war with the Turkish state since 1984.

“I think the American policy is not consistent - it is inconsistent and hypocritical,” Ford, who previously served as ambassador to Algeria, said. “I cannot understand how it is possible for Americans to give weapons and material supplies to the YPG militia. This has ties to the PKK. I do not know how the American lawyers justify that.”

source:

http://aa.com.tr/en/politics/former-us-envoy-to-syria-condemns-hypocritical-policy/565582

https://www.islamstory.com/en/artical/19545/Former-US-envoy-Syria-condemn-hypocritical-policy