Swiss intelligence report exposes covert activities of terrorist group PKK/YPG in Switzerland
Picture from a violent PKK/YPG terrorists activity in Switzerland. (AA Photo)
The Swiss Intelligence Service (NDB) has published a report detailing the covert activities of the terrorist organization’s Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) within Switzerland.
The report brought significant attention to the PKK/YPG‘s presence and activities in the country, raising questions in the Swiss parliament and prompting an official explanation request to the Federal Council.
PKK/YPG’s covert activities: Fundraising, propaganda
In Switzerland, the PKK/YPG has been found to engage in covertly:
- Fundraising for its activities
- Propaganda dissemination
- Secret training camps aimed at indoctrination and recruitment
The report noted that these training camps serve to brainwash young soldiers and prepare selected individuals as future terrorists to be deployed against Türkiye for terrorist activities.
The PKK/YPG covertly raises funds, engages in propaganda and conducts training camps. It indoctrinates young people and recruits selected individuals as future cadre members and for deployment at the front against the Turkish army.
The cultural associations take in newly arrived Kurdish refugees and seek to exploit them for the party’s purposes. The PKK/YPG occasionally cooperates with members of violent left-wing extremist groups.
Swiss Intelligence Service
Recruitment, exploitation of refugees
The report also highlighted the PKK/YPG’s approach to integrating newly arrived Kurdish refugees. Cultural associations affiliated with the terrorist organization PKK/YPG play a significant role in welcoming these refugees and seeking to involve them in terrorist activities.
This strategy includes indoctrination and potential recruitment of PKK’s objectives.
The PKK/YPG will continue to pursue its long-term goal of being removed from the EU’s list of terrorist organisations. Despite isolated violent protests and potential tensions, it will therefore, essentially abide by its renunciation of violence in Europe.
Swiss Intelligence Service
Potential threats, partnerships
Despite the PKK/YPG’s stated non-violent stance in Europe, the report warned of possible terrorist gatherings and violent protests and tensions.
Additionally, the PKK/YPG has been noted to occasionally collaborate with violent left-wing extremist groups such as ANTIFA, further complicating the security landscape all across Europe.
NDB report key findings:
- Continued covert activities: The PKK/YPG is expected to maintain its covert operations, including fundraising and training.
- Potential targets: Turkish missions, institutions, and community centers, such as clubhouses and mosques, could be targeted by the PKK/YPG terrorists.
Turkish missions and institutions such as clubhouses and mosques are all potential PKK tar- gets.
Swiss Intelligence Service
Potential increase in activism
The report noted that there could be an increase in terrorist acts by the PKK/YPG in Europe, northern Syria, or Iraq, and there will be significant developments or incidents involving the PKK/YPG.
Such events could lead to an increase in terrorist attacks or acts of terrorism, affecting not only Switzerland but potentially other European countries as well.
The PKK/YPG will continue its covert activities. If the situation in northern Syria and in northern Iraq deteriorates or in the event of unusual incidents involving the PKK/YPG, a temporary increase in activism in Europe and Switzerland is likely.
Swiss Intelligence Service
Implications for Swiss security
The disclosure of the PKK/YPG’s activities has raised concerns about national security and the implications of allowing such operations within Swiss borders.
The Swiss parliament has since called for clarity from the Federal Council to understand the extent of PKK/YPG activities and any necessary measures to address potential risks.
