'YPG/PKK terror group remains in Syria with backing from Assad regime, Iran'

By Anadolu Agency Staff

ERBIL, Iraq (AA) – The YPG/PKK terror group’s continued presence in Syria is because it has the backing of the Bashar al-Assad regime and Iran, according to a Syrian Kurdish opposition figure.

This arrangement aims to “prevent Kurds from taking part in the Syrian revolution and defending their rights,” Kava Azizi, the representative of the Kurdish National Council (ENKS) in northern Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), told Anadolu Agency.

The US is also working with the terror group “for its own interests,” he said.

The SDF, a label used by the terror group in Syria, “does what they (US) need” and Washington “gives weapons” in return, he added.

The terror group does nothing for Kurds and has no interest in solving our problems, he said.

“Kurds and their issues are nowhere on their agenda. This is simply an armed organization with a Marxist ideology,” he said, adding that the terror group’s sole aim is to “attack oppressed people” to forcibly recruit “fresh blood.”

He said the terror group is “not only involved in extortion and kidnappings for ransom in Syria, but also sells oil and buys agricultural products from people at very low prices.”

It also gets extortion and ransom money from people going to Syria from Europe and northern Iraq, he added.

- ‘No legitimacy’

This terrorist group “cannot solve the problems of Kurds anywhere, not just in Syria,” Azizi reiterated.

Currently it is “fighting for the destruction of the KRG,” he added.

He said the YPG/PKK has silenced the public and journalists as it does not want the world to hear the plight of the Kurds.

“This so-called organization (YPG/PKK) holds no legitimacy for us, just as it does not see us as a legitimate force,” he said.

“They treat us completely arbitrarily and abide by no laws,” he added.

He said the EKNS did not seek the YPG/PKK’s permission before setting up offices in Syrian areas controlled by the terror group.

“We were aware of the risks. Our offices have been set on fire many times. They have also abducted several of our members, and their whereabouts are still unknown,” Azizi said.​​​​​​​