'YPG represents interests of PKK, not Syrian Kurds'

By Mustafa Deveci and Sumeyye Ozer

ANKARA

A Kurdish politician said Saturday the YPG represents the interests of PKK and not the Syrian Kurds.

Siamend Hajo, the head of Syria Kurdish Future Movement, also former spokesman of the Kurdish National Council of Syria's (KNC) foreign relations office, told Anadolu Agency that the PYD/PKK oppresses people living in the regions it invades.

"They perceive anyone who opposes them as enemies. The YPG, since the day it emerged, has been establishing a Baath regime-like dictatorship in the regions it controls in Syria... Due to their oppression, many people have fled the country," he said.

Hajo asserted that the Syrian Kurds must build good relations with Turkey, adding the move will benefit both sides.

The Assad regime and PYD/PKK terror group both perceive Turkey as a "common enemy", he said.

"After Turkey launched an operation in Afrin, there has been a rapprochement between the Assad regime and the YPG. The regime openly supports the YPG against Turkey."

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

Afrin -- a region bordering Turkey's southern Hatay and Kilis provinces -- has been controlled by the PYD/PKK terrorist group since 2012, when Syrian regime forces withdrew from the area.

The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years, killing nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to 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.