Rojava/ Kurdish Regions Newswire

[Sasha]

Turkey's government have now authorised the use of live ammunition to quell protests, so they are now sending out snipers! They've already hit civilians:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...down-militants

sniper attacks and aerial/mortar bombings on the city of Cizre continue, thousands of kurds are trying to reach the town to function as a human shield.
the KCK called for a general kurdish uprising to "defend Cizre like Kobane"

[Sentinel]

I've seen some indications on social media today that the YPG is currently pushing to capture the city and border crossing of Jarabulus; the war map on Wikipedia would seem to confirm that there is a partial siege on the city. A quick search also confirms that such an assault has been openly planned for the last few days.

It was news to me, and is a bit surprising as it goes against the will of Turkey, being situated in the so called 'Buffer zone' Erdogan wishes to create in order to isolate the canton of Afrin from the rest of Rojava and to ensure that Daesh retains a supply route to the Turkish border.

Losing Jarabulus would be a huge blow to Daesh. Any good articles and news on this battle would be most welcome.

Syrian Kurdish leaders plan to capture the last border crossing point between Syria and Turkey held by Isis, making it impossible for jihadist volunteers from Europe and elsewhere to reach Isis-held territories.
The seizure of the frontier town of Jarabulus on the Euphrates River is certain to anger Turkey, which is already alarmed by the rise of a Syrian-Kurdish state-let in northern Syria, aided by US air strikes and fielding strong military forces.
The loss of Jarabulus would isolate Isis, bringing to an end its ability to bring in thousands of fanatical Islamic fighters who have been crossing from Turkey into Syria without significant hindrance over the last four years. Isis has frequently used these foreign volunteers as suicide bombers driving vehicles packed with explosives as an essential element in its military strategy.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...-10511666.html

[Sentinel]

YPG bombs ISIS headquarters in Syria’s Jarabulus
ARA News

ALEPPO*– Kurdish forces of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) launched an attack on headquarters of the Islamic State radical group (ISIS) in Jarabulus city north of Aleppo, near the border with Turkey, Kurdish sources reported on Friday.*

The YPG forces have targeted*several*ISIS positions in Jarabulus with mortars*and heavy artillery.*

YPG fighter*Nuraddin Gaban told ARA News on the phone that the Kurdish forces launched the attack from its bases in the villages of Zor Maghar, Nasiriya and Atto east of Jarabulus.

“Our shelling hit at least five ISIS targets in Jarabulus city on Friday, killing and injuring dozens of terrorists,” he said.*

The YPG leadership*has deployed hundreds of fighters*alongside the Euphrates River in the eastern countryside of Jarabulus in preparation for storming ISIS strongholds in the area.*

“Our forces have made a remarkable advance towards Jarabulus city after liberating the western countryside of Kobane. The anti-ISIS operations will continue until reassuring our people’s safety from this terrorist group,” Gaban added.*

“We are ready to storm the city of Jarabulus and liberate it from ISIS terrorists. We are waiting for orders from our leadership,” the YPG member said. *

The source revealed a “high level of coordination” between the Kurdish forces and the U.S.-led coalition, which has*been bombing ISIS positions in the region for more than a year. *

Reporting by: Sarbaz Yousef and Muhammad Ali

http://aranews.net/2015/09/ypg-bombs...ias-jarabulus/

[Sasha]

I've seen some indications on social media today that the YPG is currently pushing to capture the city and border crossing of Jarabulus; the war map on Wikipedia would seem to confirm that there is a partial siege on the city. A quick search also confirms that such an assault has been openly planned for the last few days.

It was news to me, and is a bit surprising as it goes against the will of Turkey, being situated in the so called 'Buffer zone' Erdogan wishes to create in order to isolate the canton of Afrin from the rest of Rojava and to ensure that Daesh retains a supply route to the Turkish border.

Losing Jarabulus would be a huge blow to Daesh. Any good articles and news on this battle would be most welcome.



http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...-10511666.html

Considering that the very few rebels the US and Turkey managed to recruit and train in Turkey turned out to have handed over a whole buch equipment inc ammunition to Al Nusra I guess the US is deciding to bet on a better horse.

[khad]

http://national.bgnnews.com/erdogan-...rs-haberi/9964

The shoe dropped

“I do not view the situation as Kurds are being armed. I believe these actions are arming terrorist groups… There is no difference between the PKK and the PYD,” said Erdoğan, condemning the Western notion that the PYD should be supported because they are effective at fighting ISIL. “To say that one terror group is better than the other is an unjust assessment.”

[The Feral Underclass]

The YPG have published a response to Amnesty International's report accusing the Kurds of ethnic cleansing.

Gen. Comm. of the People’s Defense Units in Response to Amnesty International's Oct. 8 Report

[Emmett Till]

The YPG have published a response to Amnesty International's report accusing the Kurds of ethnic cleansing.

Gen. Comm. of the People’s Defense Units in Response to Amnesty International's Oct. 8 Report

Hey, being as the US is backing the Kurds vs. ISIS, and Amnesty International insofar as its reports are distorted it's always in the interests of US imperialism, I think it'd be smarter to assume that Amnesty is more likely to be telling the truth than the YPG.

And there's some dubious stuff right at the beginning. I quote:

"The use of the term “forced displacement” is arbitrary without considering the cases in which this terms should be used according to Article 7 (d) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which clearly states that “Deportation or forcible transfer of population’ means forced displacement of the persons concerned by expulsion or other coercive acts from the area in which they are lawfully present, without grounds permitted under international law.”[1] Comparing and contrasting the Amnesty report with YPG’s statements, it is clear that the use of the term “forced displacement” is in sharp contrast to Article 7 of the Statute. Accordingly, the report’s claim of a “war crime” committed by the YPG is a false accusation."

In other words, the YPG is saying that the ethnic cleansing they engaged in was legit 'cuz the Sunni refugees who fled to the Kobane region were there "unlawfully." Like all those unlawful refugees flocking into Europe.

Even better, the following:

"The Amnesty report is based on testimonies obtained from local villagers, who were allegedly subjected to “forced displacement” and their houses were “demolished”, and on evidence gathered from satellite images. However, the report contains fallacies since the testimonies of the individuals interviewed by Amnesty International were incorrect and contradictory to the facts and evidence, widely available and easily accessible to everyone."

i.e., who should you believe, the victims or us the persecutors? As for those satellite pictures, who should you believe, us or your lying eyes?

To really investigate incident by incident what took place, you'd need some sort of neutral outside body with full access. That won't happen at any time in the near future, but the Amnesty International report is about as close to that as one is likely to see.

[Emmett Till]

I've seen some indications on social media today that the YPG is currently pushing to capture the city and border crossing of Jarabulus; the war map on Wikipedia would seem to confirm that there is a partial siege on the city. A quick search also confirms that such an assault has been openly planned for the last few days.

It was news to me, and is a bit surprising as it goes against the will of Turkey, being situated in the so called 'Buffer zone' Erdogan wishes to create in order to isolate the canton of Afrin from the rest of Rojava and to ensure that Daesh retains a supply route to the Turkish border.

Losing Jarabulus would be a huge blow to Daesh. Any good articles and news on this battle would be most welcome.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...-10511666.html

Be it noted that this article in the Independent should confirm to anyone who still doubts it that the YPG is totally hand in glove with US imperialism, if anything more so that Israel, as Netanyahu and Obama have some pretty serious conflicts lately.

Of course, Turkish mass murder against the Kurds may persuade the YPG to change its policy, as now they have the possibility of a cleaner and, more importantly, stronger ally in the Syrian civil war, namely Putin. I hope the YPG takes advantage.

[The Feral Underclass]

Hey, being as the US is backing the Kurds vs. ISIS, and Amnesty International insofar as its reports are distorted it's always in the interests of US imperialism, I think it'd be smarter to assume that Amnesty is more likely to be telling the truth than the YPG.

I don't know what that means.

And there's some dubious stuff right at the beginning. I quote:

"The use of the term “forced displacement” is arbitrary without considering the cases in which this terms should be used according to Article 7 (d) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which clearly states that “Deportation or forcible transfer of population’ means forced displacement of the persons concerned by expulsion or other coercive acts from the area in which they are lawfully present, without grounds permitted under international law.”[1] Comparing and contrasting the Amnesty report with YPG’s statements, it is clear that the use of the term “forced displacement” is in sharp contrast to Article 7 of the Statute. Accordingly, the report’s claim of a “war crime” committed by the YPG is a false accusation."

In other words, the YPG is saying that the ethnic cleansing they engaged in was legit 'cuz the Sunni refugees who fled to the Kobane region were there "unlawfully." Like all those unlawful refugees flocking into Europe.

Over the last year, YPG statements from Redur Khalil and others, have consistently been made telling Arabs that they do not need to leave their homes and that those Arabs who have left voluntarily should return. These statements therefore conflict with the AI report and their use of the term "forced displacement" under Article 7 of the Rome Statute.

"The Amnesty report is based on testimonies obtained from local villagers, who were allegedly subjected to “forced displacement” and their houses were “demolished”, and on evidence gathered from satellite images. However, the report contains fallacies since the testimonies of the individuals interviewed by Amnesty International were incorrect and contradictory to the facts and evidence, widely available and easily accessible to everyone."

i.e., who should you believe, the victims or us the persecutors? As for those satellite pictures, who should you believe, us or your lying eyes?

This is taken from the preamble. It's the premise on which the document is founded. The remaining document substantiates the premise. The paragraph you quoted should be taken in context of the entire report, not just on its own.

To really investigate incident by incident what took place, you'd need some sort of neutral outside body with full access. That won't happen at any time in the near future, but the Amnesty International report is about as close to that as one is likely to see.

My suggestion to you would be to actually read the entire document and not just the first two paragraphs. The AI report is fallacious and it is founded on a liberal narrative and interpretation of conflict. Their mission is to ensure armed conflicts are operating in accordance with international humanitarian law. Are the YPG conducting their conflicts in accordance with the laws of war? No of course not, and why would we want them to be? Daesh and their supporters deserve to be dealt with in the ruthless of manners. That does not mean, however, that the 37 people AI interviewed are the sum of the YPG's entire strategy and policy towards Sunni Arabs.

[Emmett Till]

I don't know what that means.

You don't? Why not?

Over the last year, YPG statements from Redur Khalil and others, have consistently been made telling Arabs that they do not need to leave their homes and that those Arabs who have left voluntarily should return. These statements therefore conflict with the AI report and their use of the term "forced displacement" under Article 7 of the Rome Statute.

Who cares what the YPG says? What matters is what it does, and according to Amnesty International, what it has been doing is ethnic cleansing.

BTW, for decades the Zionists in Palestine liked to claim exactly the same thing, and even produced all sorts of formal proclamations they issued to prove it. Somehow, the Palestinians did not believe them, I don't know whey.

This is taken from the preamble. It's the premise on which the document is founded. The remaining document substantiates the premise. The paragraph you quoted should be taken in context of the entire report, not just on its own.

Not really. The rest of the document consists of arguments about the facts on the ground for many of the incidents Amnesty International reports. Well, AI has one version of what happened, the YPG a different, and unless you're on the spot, you have no way of telling which is more accurate. For the reason that you somehow find incomprehensible, it is foolish for anyone to think that the YPG version is more accurate than AI's.

My suggestion to you would be to actually read the entire document and not just the first two paragraphs. The AI report is fallacious and it is founded on a liberal narrative and interpretation of conflict. Their mission is to ensure armed conflicts are operating in accordance with international humanitarian law. Are the YPG conducting their conflicts in accordance with the laws of war? No of course not, and why would we want them to be? Daesh and their supporters deserve to be dealt with in the ruthless of manners. That does not mean, however, that the 37 people AI interviewed are the sum of the YPG's entire strategy and policy towards Sunni Arabs.

So in other words, any Sunni Arabs in the Rojava region, the majority population by the way, who are on the side of ISIS should be "dealt with in the most ruthless of manners." That's probably most of them. What do you have in mind? Torture? Genocide? Your attitude is worse than that of the YPG.

[The Feral Underclass]

You don't? Why not?

Because it literally doesn't make any sense.

Who cares what the YPG says? What matters is what it does, and according to Amnesty International, what it has been doing is ethnic cleansing.

Well, I do and so should any revolutionary communist. It's fine if you wish to believe Amnesty International, but they are a pro-capitalist, liberal organisation that attempts to defend bourgeois rules of law. To assume they are not going to have a bias against a revolutionary socialist, anti-capitalist, anti-state militia participating in a wide-ranging revolutionary conflict is naive. The YPG do not operate within the rules of law that AI are accustomed to. As far as they are concerned the YPG is no better than Daesh or the al-Nusra Front.

BTW, for decades the Zionists in Palestine liked to claim exactly the same thing, and even produced all sorts of formal proclamations they issued to prove it. Somehow, the Palestinians did not believe them, I don't know whey.

You're employing an ad hominem logical fallacy. The YPG aren't liars because the things they say are similar to what other people who are liars have said. That's just a ridiculous argument. If you're going to participate in debate, at least do it honestly.

Not really. The rest of the document consists of arguments about the facts on the ground for many of the incidents Amnesty International reports. Well, AI has one version of what happened, the YPG a different, and unless you're on the spot, you have no way of telling which is more accurate. For the reason that you somehow find incomprehensible, it is foolish for anyone to think that the YPG version is more accurate than AI's.

Employ the English language better and I might be able to find it less incomprehensible.

AI's version of events is not supported by actual facts. While it may be the case that there are isolated incidences of officials of the PYD and maybe even soldiers from the YPG committing random acts of violence or intimidation against Arabs, it is not and never has been a policy of the YPG to "forcibly displace" Arabs. Arabs make up a population within the YPG and have been part of rebuilding efforts in Kobane. Coupled with the fact the YPG have insisted that Arabs return to their homes, what evidence is there of widespread or even narrowspread ethnic cleansing other than the 37 people AI interviewed. 37 people are not a representation of Arabic life in Rojava. It's not even a sample by which to extrapolate. If what these 37 people have said is true, then yeah, it's a shitty thing to have happened, but they're going to have to do better than that if we are to believe some large scale, comprehensive policy of ethnic cleansing.

I want to also reiterate that AI have a specific agenda of reporting on whether armed forces are adhering to international laws of war, not on the political and social mission of an armed conflict. They operate within a very specific understanding of the world and of conflict, and are routinely biased against non-state based military forces. Let's also not forget that this is an organisation that does not support universal access to abortion and voted down a motion at its conference this year to support discrimination against anti-Semitism. Their motivations and their values for doing things are dubious to say the least.

And this is what Professor Frank Boyle (of Palestinian solidarity fame) said about them, "Amnesty International is primarily motivated not by human rights but by publicity. Second comes money. Third comes getting more members. Fourth, internal turf battles. And then finally, human rights, genuine human rights concerns. To be sure, if you are dealing with a human rights situation in a country that is at odds with the United States or Britain, it gets an awful lot of attention, resources, man and womanpower, publicity, you name it, they can throw whatever they want at that. But if it's dealing with violations of human rights by the United States, Britain, Israel, then it's like pulling teeth to get them to really do something on the situation. They might, very reluctantly and after an enormous amount of internal fightings and battles and pressures, you name it. But you know, it's not like the official enemies list."

Source

So in other words, any Sunni Arabs in the Rojava region, the majority population by the way, who are on the side of ISIS should be "dealt with in the most ruthless of manners." That's probably most of them. What do you have in mind? Torture? Genocide? Your attitude is worse than that of the YPG.

Well, they could take a leaf out of Trotsky's book.

Unlike you, I don't shroud my politics in liberal sentimentality. This is war. Any one who aides-and-abets the enemy is clearly a strategic problem. It is incompetent to have your enemy's supporters and followers operating unhindered in your theatre of conflict. That's just basic common sense.

[Sasha]

Be it noted that this article in the Independent should confirm to anyone who still doubts it that the YPG is totally hand in glove with US imperialism, if anything more so that Israel, as Netanyahu and Obama have some pretty serious conflicts lately.

Of course, Turkish mass murder against the Kurds may persuade the YPG to change its policy, as now they have the possibility of a cleaner and, more importantly, stronger ally in the Syrian civil war, namely Putin. I hope the YPG takes advantage.

A. Why would putins imperialism be preferential over obamas imperialism?
B. Putin has way to much invested in his clientele in Syria, Iran and Iraq to support the separatist ambitions of the kurds. Esp radical kurds.
The only reason why Putin atm makes some nominal avances towards the ypg/pkk kurds is to piss off erdogan.

[Sasha]

Also, lol at tankies sudden love for amnesty while they normally are evil imperialist stooges...

[Emmett Till]

A. Why would putins imperialism be preferential over obamas imperialism?
B. Putin has way to much invested in his clientele in Syria, Iran and Iraq to support the separatist ambitions of the kurds. Esp radical kurds.
The only reason why Putin atm makes some nominal avances towards the ypg/pkk kurds is to piss off erdogan.

Because the Hew Hess Hay is an imperial power, the dominant one of this era. Not in some metaphysical naughty, naughty marching troops across other people's borders fashion, but honest to Lenin capitalist imperialism, defending the profits of US corporations exploiting the workers of the world with force and violence.

Putin's Russia is just another capitalist power, not different from Iran or Egypt or Syria or the "Islamic state." It doesn't send troops into Syria to protect Russian investments in Syria's nonexistent oil resources, it's just part of the usual power games, no better or worse than anything else. Russia is in there because Assad is Russia's best ally in the Middle East, what with the Latakia naval base, that's all.

Russia just doesn't play the imperial game of investing overseas to extract surplus profits from workers in the Third World, because Russia's form of capitalism, constructed on the ruins of the Soviet workers state, just isn't designed that way. The financial sector, the heart as everyone knows of imperialism, is much less significant in Russia than anywhere else, and invests by and large within Russia itself, not even very much in other former Soviet republics. And it's not "state capitalism," in fact the state sector is quite a bit smaller under Putin than it was under Yeltsin, as he's been steadily privatising.

Could Putin support separatist ambitions of Kurds in Syria? Why not?

The USA, whose relations with Turkey and certainly with the not-so-former US puppet regime in Iraq are still a lot stronger than Russia's, has no problem with supporting Kurdish separatism in Iraq, and even less with respect to Kurdish separatism in Syria, to say nothing of Iran. There is absolutely no reason why Putin couldn't play the same game, and in fact at the moment he is doing so.

[Emmett Till]

Your tortured special pleadings for the YPG, those wonderful revolutionaries who, by the way, have repeatedly stated that as long as they are in charge nobody will be allowed to lay a hand on private property, remind me of the bleatings I used to hear way back when from all sorts of leftists about how the Khmer Rouge could not possibly be doing all those evil things, must all be imperialist propaganda. Almost not worth answering. But a couple of revealing comments.

And this is what Professor Frank Boyle (of Palestinian solidarity fame) said about them, "Amnesty International is primarily motivated not by human rights but by publicity. Second comes money. Third comes getting more members. Fourth, internal turf battles. And then finally, human rights, genuine human rights concerns. To be sure, if you are dealing with a human rights situation in a country that is at odds with the United States or Britain, it gets an awful lot of attention, resources, man and womanpower, publicity, you name it, they can throw whatever they want at that. But if it's dealing with violations of human rights by the United States, Britain, Israel, then it's like pulling teeth to get them to really do something on the situation. They might, very reluctantly and after an enormous amount of internal fightings and battles and pressures, you name it. But you know, it's not like the official enemies list."

Source

Uh huh. Yeah, Amnesty International does not like to expose the crimes of American allies.... like the Israelis, or the Kurds. That they feel compelled to in this case should make any intelligent person suspect that the reality is actually much worse than the AI report makes it sound.

But then, taking the cake, I ask you, are you in favor of torture and genocide to deal with ISIS's Sunni supporters which is by now as everyone knows most of the Sunni population of the area. And what is your answer?

Well, they could take a leaf out of Trotsky's book.

Unlike you, I don't shroud my politics in liberal sentimentality. This is war. Any one who aides-and-abets the enemy is clearly a strategic problem. It is incompetent to have your enemy's supporters and followers operating unhindered in your theatre of conflict. That's just basic common sense.

Translating your rhetoric into plain English, your answer is yes, I am.

So that is how Revleft will remember you from now on, as Revleft's advocate of torture and genocide. You should really add that to your sig.

As for your claim that Trotsky did that sort of thing, well, I suppose that kind of lie can be expected from a torture & genocide fan.

[The Feral Underclass]

Your tortured special pleadings for the YPG, those wonderful revolutionaries who, by the way, have repeatedly stated that as long as they are in charge nobody will be allowed to lay a hand on private property, remind me of the bleatings I used to hear way back when from all sorts of leftists about how the Khmer Rouge could not possibly be doing all those evil things, must all be imperialist propaganda. Almost not worth answering. But a couple of revealing comments.

Where have they said that? Show me all these repeated statements where the YPG have said no one will "touch private property"...

Uh huh. Yeah, Amnesty International does not like to expose the crimes of American allies.... like the Israelis, or the Kurds. That they feel compelled to in this case should make any intelligent person suspect that the reality is actually much worse than the AI report makes it sound.

The Kurds in Rojava aren't allies with the Americans. That's just a lie. They could of course stand on principle and not have American air support, but that seems like a recipe for their defeat. Although, I'm beginning to suspect you'd rather the Kurds fail than succeed. Perhaps you'd prefer Daesh instead?

But then, taking the cake, I ask you, are you in favor of torture and genocide to deal with ISIS's Sunni supporters which is by now as everyone knows most of the Sunni population of the area. And what is your answer?

Translating your rhetoric into plain English, your answer is yes, I am.

Your appeals to emotion are a perfect reminder of the bankruptcy of some who attempt to participate in discussions about the YPG. Your devious attempt to force me into having to deny I support genocide is a neat little rhetorical trick to try and evade actually addressing the substance of my argument. It is predicated entirely on dishonesty and I'm not going to fall for it.

I could easily take what you're saying as some kind of tacit support for Daesh. You seem to be having a problem with the idea that those assisting Daesh should be dealt with as strategic problems. Should we infer from this that you are a supporter of Daesh? Or is it just that you don't think the Kurds should have the right to defend themselves from Daesh? Is that because you support the Turkish state, which would make you a de facto supporter of Daesh anyway?...You see how easy it is to twist things?

In any case, what you're saying is just nonsense. Not all Sunni Arabs support Daesh at all. Many Sunni Arabs do of course, but that's not the same as what I said, which was: those Sunni Arabs that are aiding-and-abetting Daesh, should be dealt with as a strategic problem -- Not every single Sunni Arab that supports Daesh. Pay attention.

So that is how Revleft will remember you from now on, as Revleft's advocate of torture and genocide. You should really add that to your sig.

Nice try, but I'm afraid people on RevLeft just aren't as stupid as you think they are.

As for your claim that Trotsky did that sort of thing, well, I suppose that kind of lie can be expected from a torture & genocide fan.

When someone's only response to a debate is to accuse the person they're debating with as being a "fan" of torture and genocide, you know they've lost the argument. If you have no substance to add to debates, don't participate in them.

[khad]

Actually, I think the Russians have a greater chance of answering YPG ambitions than the Americans, due to the latter's allegiance to Turkey. In fact, Chairman Salih Muslim has pretty much said that it trusts Russia to prevent Turkey from crossing the Syrian border, which is a long-term geostrategic card more valuable than anything NATO can offer at the present time.

Furthermore, they've had extensive diplomatic contacts - actual physical contacts, in sending envoys to Russia for the past 3 years.
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/orig...nt-ankara.html

Turkey’s Syrian policy is totally bankrupt. Two years ago I was talking to a Russian official and he asked me, “What do the Kurds most fear?” “Possible Turkish intervention,” I replied. He laughed and said, “That is not Turkey’s border [with Syria], but NATO’s,” to which I responded, “In that case you have given me relief, thank you.” Turkey cannot intervene in Syria without the blessings of the big powers.

Russia and the United States seem to have established their own zones of influence within Syria. The US is active in the north. The Russians will not meddle in the north. But should Turkey attempt to intervene, then they will. Russia has a joint defense agreement with Syria. They will prevent Turkish intervention not to defend us [Kurds] but to defend Syria’s border.

What we really want is to fight IS together with Turkey, America and the other coalition forces. Moreover, we are not opposed to a security zone. What we are opposed to is a Turkish-controlled security zone. The no-fly zones that were established in Iraq in 1992 could be applied in Syria as well. If the whole of northern Syria were under United Nations protection, we would feel more secure.

These contacts are bearing enough fruit to the point now where they are considering opening a mission in Moscow:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Wor...a-report.ashx?

Yes, they are playing both sides, Americans for weapons and Russia to counterbalance Turkey, but let's not forget what the obligations of NATO membership actually entail.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/us-...&NewsCatID=510

Francis Ricciardone, a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey and current deputy head of the Atlantic Council, said the PYD has shown its difference by declaring they would not engage in clashes with the Turkish state, highlighting that to preserve such a line was important.

However, Ricciardone vowed the U.S. would respond the same way it does to the PKK in case of a threat from the PYD.

“If the PYD cooperates with the PKK against Turkey and becomes a threat for the country, we would treat them the same way we do to the PKK,” Ricciardone said, vowing that the U.S.’ distinction of the PYD would be lifted in such an occasion.

[bricolage]

it is not and never has been a policy of the YPG to "forcibly displace" Arabs.

Isn't this what Salih Muslim said back in 2013 though?
"One day those Arabs who have been brought to the Kurdish areas will have to be expelled"
http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/24112013

[khad]

Isn't this what Salih Muslim said back in 2013 though?
"One day those Arabs who have been brought to the Kurdish areas will have to be expelled"
http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/24112013

Well, Jordan Matson, the YPG's western celebrity himself has said they purposefully let ISIS overrun Arab areas so that the Kurdish militias can swoop in to retake and HOLD those territories, but this is the issue with these non-state armed groups - it is very difficult to disaggregate actions undertaken by theoretically subordinate actors from broader, comprehensive initiatives. Just recently, the YPG even came out to apparently repudiate the PYD for speaking on their behalf, suggesting a possibility of contradictory forces in the Rojavan project itself. Many of the contradictions of the Kurdish militias are dictated by their survival strategy, which has them in collaboration with various FSA spinters but also with the Syrian Army depending on location. They've learned to say different things to everyone, their western leftist fans included. (Nothing new, even the PIRA had their special magazine just for the Irish American audience that left out all mention of their support of the Palestinian struggle)

Now I'm not going to play that sectarian game of accusing your Rudaw source of propagandizing. Rudaw is a notorious outlet that serves as the mouthpiece of the Barzani clan, but that Salih Muslim said this is somewhat unremarkable, as the attitude expressed is fairly pervasive in the Kurdish territories. A lot of Kurds view Arabs there as settlers and invaders, much like how the Palestinians view the Israelis. Statements such as these are the bread and butter of any Kurdish politician that wishes to retain a Kurdish constituency.

How deeply committed the chairman is to carrying out the implications of such sentiments (along with other PYD/YPG actors) is an open question. He too, like many others, can be wildly contradictory. While he bashes the Syrian government/Arabs/etc out of one side of his mouth, the YPG is letting Qamishli airport operate as a Syrian Army and Russian Air Force base.

What's important to remember is that this whole situation is a very fluid one, driven by local exigencies and partnerships of convenience. Never take words to reflect the accuracy of what is happening in the field.

To give you an idea of how much unreliable statements are in a civil conflict driven by unregulated militias, all this apparently happened in a 24 hour span last month:

https://www.reddit.com/r/syriancivil...ublican_guard/
https://www.reddit.com/r/syriancivil...o_not_want_to/
https://www.reddit.com/r/syriancivil...heikh_maqsood/
https://www.reddit.com/r/syriancivil..._maqsoud_with/
https://www.reddit.com/r/syriancivil...strict_sheikh/
https://www.reddit.com/r/syriancivil..._told_sputnik/

[khad]

More from the grapevine, but obviously take with a huge grain of salt, like all news out of these parts.

Rojava ‏@AzadiRojava 4h4 hours ago
@Sarbarzi @KyleWOrton YPG made statement they have great relationship with USA who supported from start. YPG clearly prefers USA over Russia

Rojava ‏@AzadiRojava 4h4 hours ago
@Sarbarzi @KyleWOrton Statement said too Russia supported Assad &YPG wasn't happy with that. Seems there's tension between PYD & YPG.

Rojava ‏@AzadiRojava 4h4 hours ago
@KyleWOrton @Sarbarzi USA under Obama is what's opaque not Kurds.Obama is so afraid to enrage Erdogan or Saudi King he's paralized in action

Rojava ‏@AzadiRojava 4h4 hours ago
@KyleWOrton @Sarbarzi All of them condone from Erdogan/S-A what they condemn in Assad