Rojava-Turkey conflict Rojava conflict

turkey has long regarded pyd alleged syrian extension of kurdistan workers party (pkk), , has therefore taken hardline stance against group, official talking point being not allow kurdish state form along southern border syria. turkey s policy towards rojava based on economic blockade, persistent attempts of international isolation, opposition cooperation of international anti-isil-coalition rojava militias, , support of islamist syrian civil war parties hostile towards rojava, in past times including isil. turkey has on several occasions been militarily attacking rojava territory , defence forces. latter has resulted in of clearcut instances of international solidarity rojava.

turkey has received pyd co-chair salih muslim talks in 2013 , in 2014, entertaining idea of opening rojava representation office in ankara if s suitable ankara s policies . turkey recognizes pyd , ypg militia identical kurdistan workers party (pkk), listed terrorist organisation turkey, european union, united states , others. however, eu, us, , others cooperate pyd , ypg militia in fight against islamic state of iraq , levant (isil) , not consider either terrorist organisation. loss in international standing, consequence of domestic , foreign policies of recep tayyip erdoğan, turkish government contemptuous. turkish foreign minister called pyd terrorist organisation in speech @ meeting of council of foreign ministers of 13th islamic summit of organisation of islamic cooperation (oic) on 12 april 2016 @ istanbul, turkey. in november 2016 official anadolu agency accused educational institutions of rojava of prejudice against islam . u.s. defense secretary ashton carter admitted links between pyd, ypg, , pkk. secretary carter replied, yes, senate panel when sen. lindsey graham (r-sc) asked whether believed syrian kurds aligned or @ least have substantial ties pkk . rojava , ypg leaders insist pkk separate organization. ypg representatives have persistently reiterated militia has syrian agenda , no agenda of hostility whatsoever towards turkey. however, according turkish daily sabah, @ 1 occasion in january 2016 youtube video has appeared of english-speaking man, believed fighter democratic union party s (pyd) armed wing, people s protection units (ypg) (...) making call westerners join ranks of armed group , conduct terrorist attacks against turkish state. in perception of of turkish public, rojava federal project u.s. support ypg against isil elements of wider conspiracy scheme mastermind aim weaken or dismember turkey, in order prevent imminent rise global power.

following major ypg successes in 2015, notably capture of tell abyad, turkey began indiscriminately targeting ypg forces in northern syria. since 16 february 2016, turkish forces have been shelling kurdish forces in afrin canton after sdf took initiative saa offensive , captured rebel-held areas of azaz district, notably tell rifaat , menagh airbase. turks have vowed not allow kurds capture key border town of azaz. result, 25 kurdish militants have been killed , 197 injured turkish artillery fire. in 2016, following capture of tishrin dam, allowing syrian democratic forces (sdf) cross river euphrates, proclaimed red line turkey. turkish forces bombed kurdish ypg headquarters in tell abyad, destroying 3 armoured vehicles , injuring 2 kurdish fighters. following day, 21 january 2016, turkish troops crossed border syria , entered isis-controlled syrian border town of jarabulus ypg had been planning on capturing part of offensive unite areas of control 1 continuous banner of territory. kurdish-led forces in northern syria said turkish airstrikes hit bases in amarneh village near jarablus on 27 august 2016, after turkish artillery shelled positions day before. syrian observatory reported on 27 august 2016, exchange of gunfire between ypg , turkish forces in countryside north of hasakah. unclear if turkish forces on syrian territory or had fired across border.

in march 2017, u.s. lieutenant general stephen townsend said have seen absolutely 0 evidence have been threat to, or have supported attacks on, turkey northern syria on last 2 years. top u.s. commander in campaign against islamic state of iraq , levant (isil) argued peoples’ protection units (ypg), military wing of syrian kurdish democratic union party (pyd), not pose threat turkey. of ypg fighters, i’ve talked leaders , we’ve watched them operate , continually reassure have no desire attack turkey, not threat turkey, in fact desire have working relationship turkey.