Kurdish politician faces threats for opposing PYD/PKK

By Mucahit Turetken

ISTANBUL (AA) - A Kurdish politician on Friday said he has been facing death threats from the PYD/PKK terrorist group’s sympathizers since he attended a panel in Istanbul.

Siamend Hajo, Syria Kurdish Future Movement’s head, told Anadolu Agency the PYD/PKK elements warned him against joining the panel organized by Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) on Feb. 14.

The panel had discussed the PYD/PKK’s hostile attitude towards the Kurds, who are opposing the group. It also discussed the human rights violations by the terrorist group and the support it has been receiving from the West.

“They are accusing me of treason. However, I was speaking clearly in front of the media. The reason behind their anger was my call for removal of PYD/PKK from our region,” he said.

“Some people from my party have also come to a dispute with me because they want to get close to the PKK and the PYD, although the PKK is a listed terrorist organization.”

Moreover, the Kurdish National Council, which is under the influence of the PYD, and three persons from the Hajo tribes criticized Siamend Hajo's participation in the panel by issuing separate statements, he noted.

Also, Kurdish National Council suspended Hajo’s membership, while the tribesmen declared him as "treacherous", accusing that he was no longer a member of the tribe and he would bear his own responsibility.

“According to tribal traditions, if someone is excluded, [shedding] the blood of that person is considered to be acceptable. This statement is a message to the PYD/PKK to kill me,” he added.

He extended support to the Turkey’s ongoing Operation Olive Branch in Afrin and said his party’s relations with the country would not be affected.

“We have a long border with Turkey. Despite the Afrin operation, our relationship will continue. Because we, as a political party, cannot be hostile to a big state like Turkey,” he added.