Remanded terrorist in Turkey reveals YPG links to PKK

By Hakan Mehmet Sahin

EDIRNE, Turkey (AA) - A Syrian PYD/PKK terrorist remanded in custody in northwestern Turkey spoke about his experiences at the terror camps, a judicial source said Thursday.

The 26-year-old identified by his initials M.H., who had fled from the terror group, also spoke about the link between PYD and YPG to PKK.

“There were banners and posters of one of the ringleaders of PKK Murat Karayilan and PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan at the camp that we stayed at. These were hung up everywhere in the YPG camps,” he said during his testimony at the prosecution office.

The YPG is the armed wing of the PYD/PKK terrorist organization.

The former recruit was arrested in a house in Edirne province during a counter-terror raid on Wednesday night. He was later remanded on charges of “being member of a terror organization,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restriction on speaking to the media.

“People from countries such as the U.S., Germany, and France joined the organization,” he recalled.

“Those, who arrived [at the camps] from the U.S. were also wearing YPG uniforms and carrying Kalashnikov rifles. They did not stay there permanently and were transferred to different units,” he added.

M.H. joined PYD/PKK terrorist group after spending eight months with Syrian Bashar Al-Assad forces. He said he received ideological and warfare training at a YPG camp in northeastern Qamishli province.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists from Afrin in northwestern Syria.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey's borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from terrorist cruelty and oppression.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said the "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.