By Ercan Canbolat
ANKARA
The U.S.’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) still officially views PYD/PKK as a terrorist organization, according to "The World Factbook" section in the intelligence agency’s website.
The up-to-date website confirms that the PYD is the Syrian wing of the internationally designated terror group PKK, with Salih Muslim as its leader.
The rise of Daesh terror group gave the U.S. an excuse to establish a strong partnership with the PYD/PKK terrorist group.
The first military aid of the U.S. army was delivered to PYD/PKK in September 2014, when Daesh terrorists sieged northern Syrian city of Ayn al-Arab city, which was under PYD/PKK’s occupation.
Following the airstrikes that continued for months, Daesh was moved away.
The U.S. military aid to the terror group increased day by day, especially in the east of Euphrates River that empowered PYD/PKK’s occupation.
US arming of PYD/PKK
The PKK/PYD managed to capture a quarter of Syria, 14 years after its foundation, with the support of the U.S.
At first, the U.S. transformed the terror group into SDF, an umbrella organization, and then fully equipped the terrorists on the pretext that it fights another terror group -- Daesh.
Backed by the U.S., the terror group captured a quarter of Syria and 65% of Turkey-Syria borderline.
Also, some of the weapons given to the terror group for its "fight" against Daesh were used during the terror attacks in Turkey
Operation Olive Branch
Afrin, a northwestern region in Syria, has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012 when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without putting up a fight.
Due to the geographical conditions, the center of Turkish provinces Kilis and Hatay are within the firing range of the terror group.
While Amanos Mountains near Syrian borders is used as an infiltrating tool by the PYD/PKK, Afrin is seen as a key to get a connection to the Mediterranean Sea.
De-escalation and Euphrates Shield zones are also under the threat of attacks from Afrin.
Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to clear PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.
According to the military, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.
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 has also said that only terrorist targets are being destroyed and "utmost importance" is being put on not harming any civilians.