UN should protect population records of Raqqah

By Suhib Mohammad Nemed Abed and Gulsen Topcu

ISTANBUL (AA) - The National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces on Thursday asked the head of the UN to protect Raqqah's population and title deed records.

The PKK/PYD terror group has captured almost 80 percent of Raqqah, the de facto capital of Daesh’s self-proclaimed caliphate, since a major anti-Daesh campaign was launched in June.

National Coalition head Riad Seif said he sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that stressed the importance of protecting records storage locations in Raqqah.

"You should send military troops to protect the storages where the population and title deed records are held and realize your legal, ethical and political responsibility," Seif said.

He added that his group is ready to establish a team to protect the records and transfer them to a secure place as soon as possible.

Turkey considers the PKK/PYD to be the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, a designated terrorist outfit in Turkey, the U.S. and EU. The U.S., however, views the PKK/PYD as its ally in the fight against Daesh in northern Syria.

The PKK has waged a 33-year war against the Turkish state.