US Congress admits terrorist organization PKK linked to YPG
US forces in Syria along with PKK/YPG terrorists. (AA Photo)
The Congressional Research Service (CRS), which advises U.S. lawmakers, officially acknowledged the connection between the PKK, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), and the Syrian YPG, a key “partner” of the U.S. in the region.
This acknowledgment, part of a Jan. 10 report titled “US’ Turkey (Türkiye), the PKK, and U.S. Involvement: Chronology“, highlights an issue that has long strained U.S.-Türkiye relations.
PKK-YPG connection confirmed
The CRS report states that the YPG operates as an affiliate of the PKK, which has waged a 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, causing over 40,000 deaths.
Despite full knowledge of situation, the U.S. has supported the YPG, which now functions under the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) umbrella, since 2015 in its alleged campaign against Daesh.
The report underscores how this partnership has complicated U.S. relations with Türkiye, which regards the PKK/YPG as a direct threat to its national security.
Since 2015, the United States has partnered with militias that include the PKK-linked Syrian YPG against the Daesh. Turkish military operations in northern Syria to counter the YPG’s militias and reduce its territorial control have been a factor in complicating U.S. policy and U.S.-Türkiye relations.
Congressional Research Service
Türkiye’s firm stance on the PKK/YPG
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s position on Jan. 7, stating, “If the PKK/YPG terrorist group does not withdraw from Syria, a military operation will proceed.”
Türkiye has demanded the complete removal of PKK/YPG elements from Syria, emphasizing that inaction would result in military intervention.
Ankara has consistently criticized U.S. support for the YPG, arguing that relying on one terrorist group to fight another is a flawed and dangerous strategy.
Türkiye has also expressed willingness to assume responsibility for managing facilities like Syria’s al-Hol Camp, where thousands of Daesh detainees are held, offering to deploy military resources to ensure security.
While Anakra has repeatedly urged Washington to not provide arms and logistical support to the terrorist organization PKK/YPG under the pretext of fighting against Daesh, US officials have repeatedly claimed that there is no connection between the PKK and the YPG.
Türkiye has conveyed its willingness to oversee the detention of Daesh terrorists, if necessary. The issue of foreign Daesh terrorist members, particularly European nationals whose home countries refuse to accept their return, remains a point of contention.
Türkiye suffers from terrorist attacks
Major terror attacks, predominately conducted by Daesh, occurred across Turkish cities before Ankara decided to launch military operations in Syria in order to secure its borders and create a safer environment for its citizens. These include:
- Reyhanli – May 2013: 50 deaths
- Suruc – July 2015: 34 deaths
- Ankara – Oct. 2015: 109 deaths
- Istanbul – Dec. 2016: 45 deaths
- Gaziantep – Aug. 2016: 59 deaths
- Kilis – Oct. 2016: 22 deaths
Additionally, prior to cross-border operations, Türkiye experienced:
- 95 missile attacks on Kilis before Operation Euphrates Shield
- 53 attacks on Kilis and 109 on Hatay before Operation Olive Branch
- 407 attacks on Mardin, 632 on Sanliurfa, 241 on Sirnak, and nine on Gaziantep before Operation Peace Spring
The Türkiye-PKK peace process broke down in August 2015 amid violence in Türkiye apparently connected in some ways to conflict taking place in Syria.
Soon thereafter, the YPG became the main U.S. counter-Daesh ground force partner in Syria (as the backbone of the SDF), receiving U.S. training and, since 2017, arms.
Amid debate about how to continue countering the Daesh, Türkiye launched a major incursion against the YPG in Syria in 2019, contributing to a spike in U.S.-Türkiye tensions. During the subsequent five-year standoff in Syria, Türkiye (and allied Syrian armed groups) and the SDF (and affiliated groups) respectively administered different areas.
Congressional Research Service
PKK/YPG is using al-Hol camp, Daesh as political leverage in Syria
The ongoing situation in Syria’s al-Hol Camp, which is under the control of the PKK/YPG terrorist group, has emerged as a significant concern for regional and international security as it allegedly hosts over 55,000 Daesh members and their families, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross report.
A lot of reports indicate that the PKK/YPG has been using the release of Daesh detainees and their families as a political bargaining chip, exacerbating threats in an already volatile region.
Türkiye already proposed to the U.S. and other allies that Ankara take over responsibility for the al-Hol camp, offering to deploy three commando brigades to ensure its security.-
US-Türkiye relations under strain
The CRS report notes that U.S.-Türkiye relations have faced multiple challenges since the collapse of the “peace process” with the PKK in 2015 and the subsequent rise of the YPG as the U.S.’s main counter-Daesh partner of choice.
Military operations launched by Türkiye in northern Syria, such as Operation Peace Spring in 2019, have heightened tensions between the two NATO allies, ending up with U.S.’ imposing sanctions on Türkiye and straining ties.
Türkiye has repeatedly highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach to address regional security challenges, urging the U.S. and other foreign nations to reassess its support for the YPG and align with its NATO ally’s security priorities.
