“The Kurdish People’s Protection Units—the Syrian militia of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)—probably will seek some form of autonomy but will face resistance from Russia, Iran, and Turkey,” read the report titled “Worldwide Threat Assessment.”

The report’s Europe section also mentioned strained ties between the U.S. and Turkey and made predictions on the future of the row.

“Turkey’s counterterrorism cooperation with the United States against IS is likely to continue, but thwarting Kurdish regional ambitions will be a foreign policy priority [for Ankara],” the report said.

Referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the report said he “is likely to employ polarizing rhetoric, straining bilateral relations and cooperation on shared regional goals.”

On Feb. 13, U.S. State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s planned visit to Turkey on Feb. 15-16 “shows just how serious this matter is,” referring to stark differences of opinion on the Syrian issue in Turkey and the U.S.

Turkey last month launched an incursion into Syria, which it calls “Operation Olive Branch,” to sweep the YPG from its southern border. It has also threatened to press on to Manbij - currently under the control of an YPG-led force - and has warned U.S. troops stationed there not to get in the way.

Reporter’s code: 50101