PYD lowers 3 American flags at base in northern Syria

Three American flags were lowered on top of buildings under the control of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Tal Abyad town in northern Syria on Sept. 17, a local source in the region told Anadolu Agency.

The U.S. flags had emerged at the group's base in the area on Sept. 16, according to the source.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, said the PYD had lowered all American flags in the Munbatih area in Tal Abyad except for a flag raised over the Customs House.

The Customs House flag can be viewed from Turkey's border district of Akcakale in southeastern province of Sanliurfa as well.

On Sept. 2, several PYD militants displayed an American flag in the village of Rafe, north of Manbij, 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the west bank of the Euphrates River.

According to a local Syrian opposition source on the ground, the flags were being used as deterrents to prevent attacks.

By displaying the U.S. flags, they are sending the false signal that U.S. forces are also present, the source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to concerns for their safety, said.

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