Man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS or MPADS) are shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles (SLSAMs).

The shipment of anti-aircraft missiles to Afrin, a Kurdish-held canton and repeated target of the Turkish army, show an easing of restrictions on arming the Kurdish forces by the U.S., NRT reported.

Neither the U.S. nor SDF clarified why Kurdish fighters want shoulder-fired anti-aircraft system, as the Islamic State (IS) does not have warplanes.

However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to attack the canton “in the days ahead” to clear it of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) fighters.

"The slightest disturbance on the border would be the signal for us to take a step," Erdogan said in a televised speech on Sunday, January 14.

Erdogan has repeatedly said that Afrin should be cleared of "terrorists" and in November 2016, he said Turkish troops needed to be deployed there.

The issue is among many causing tense relations between Ankara and Washington. Turkish officials said in November that U.S. President Donald Trump told them Washington would no longer supply weapons to the YPG.

The U.S. Administration later denied they would halt weapons supply, but limit them to maintaining security now that IS had been expelled from Syria.

Reporter’s code: 50101