Türkiye’s UN ambassador warns of PKK/YPG separatist agenda in Syria

Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz, highlighted the ongoing threat posed by the terrorist group PKK/YPG, emphasizing how such organizations have exploited the chaos stemming from the Syrian conflict to pursue separatist goals.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session focused on Syria, Yildiz expressed deep concern about the rising violence in the Middle East, stating, “The risk of the Gaza conflict spreading further across the region has turned into a painful reality.”

Ambassador Yildiz pointed to the broader regional implications of Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, particularly for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. He noted that the indiscriminate nature of the strikes is having a profound effect on Lebanon’s 750,000 Syrian refugees, who are now being forced to flee back to Syria, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in an already fragile country.

“The flow of refugees from Lebanon to Syria is compounding the existing fragile situation and further increasing the demand for humanitarian aid,” Yildiz added, urging the international community not to abandon the Syrian people.

Yildiz warned that the deepening crisis in Syria continues to pose a serious threat to regional stability, calling for restraint from all parties involved in order to prevent further escalation of tensions. “All sides need to act with caution to stop tensions from rising even further,” he said.

Exploitation of chaos by terrorist groups

Ambassador Yildiz stressed that one of the most dangerous consequences of the 13-year Syrian conflict has been the ability of terrorist organizations to leverage the ongoing turmoil to further their separatist agendas. The PKK/YPG, in particular, poses a threat to Syria’s territorial integrity and unity, according to Yildiz.

He also expressed gratitude to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other nations that showed solidarity with Türkiye following the recent terrorist attack in Ankara, which Yildiz attributed to the PKK.

“The information we have obtained indicates that the terrorist attack targeting Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) was planned and carried out by the PKK,” Yildiz said. He added that TUSAS provides crucial support not only to Türkiye but to many countries globally in the fight against terrorism.

Yildiz reiterated that Türkiye has repeatedly warned the international community about the PKK’s separatist agenda and its role in civilian casualties. He expressed hope that in future meetings, UN member states would formally recognize the PKK and its affiliates, YPG/SDG, as terrorist organizations operating in Syria.

The ambassador’s remarks come amid increasing international scrutiny of the humanitarian and political consequences of the Syrian conflict, with ongoing debates over how to best address the multifaceted crisis gripping the region.