more than 500 people , spark fears of new sectarian conflict . Sunni Muslims stage protests across country against what they see as increasingly marginalisation by Shia - led government . AP
US State Department spokesman John Kirby said last week that the Kurdish fighters " have been some of the most successful " in fighting Islamic State jihadists inside Syria . He said the United States had supported the Kurdish fighters , mostly with air power , " and that support will continue . " Turkey last year claimed killinglife.die.nadozens of PKK fighters and destroying their hideouts in cross - border air raids on northern Iraq .