Two Kurdish ENKS members kidnapped by YPG/PKK

By Mohamad Misto

AFRIN, Syria (AA) – The YPG/PKK terrorist group kidnapped two members of the National Council of Syrian Kurds (ENKS) last week after the group was repelled from Syria's northwestern town of Afrin by Turkey's Operation Olive Branch.

In a statement on Monday, the ENKS said Faisal Yousef, the general coordinator of the Kurdish Reform Movement, and Nimat Dawud, the chairman of the Kurdish Democratic Equality Party in Syria, had been kidnapped by the YPG/PKK from their homes last week.

The ENKS condemned the move and called on the terrorist group to release its members.

"The YPG/PKK is trying to cover up its failure in Afrin," the ENKS said, calling on the Kurdish people and the political groups to apply pressure on the YPG/PKK.

The terrorist group had earlier issued arrest warrants for two senior officials of the ENKS, Ibrahim Biro and Fuad Aliko, due to their roles in the establishment of the local council in Afrin.

Kurdish, Arab, and Turkmen civilian representatives established an interim local council in Syria’s Afrin last Thursday to provide local services.

Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to clear YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorist groups from Afrin in northwestern Syria amid growing threats from the region.

On March 18, Turkish-backed troops liberated Afrin town center, which had been a major hideout for the YPG/PKK since 2012.