Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

PYD’s Salih Muslim: Turkish Forces will not Be Allowed into Liberated Areas | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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PYD Leader Salih Muslim


Beirut-Co-chairman of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) Salih Muslim directed accusations against Iran, Turkey and Syrians on uniting despite their conflicts and rifts for the sole purpose of Kurds, amid a suspicious U.S.-Russian silence.

Salih Muslim considered that the oppressive nature of the three countries has naturally allied to face the typical democratic and secular system founded by the PYD in Syria.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Salih Muslim said that when the kurds are the matter in question all disagreements seem to subside and powers unite to strike them, as their existence is not something desirable in the Middle East.

The Turkish intervention in Northern Syria was labelled an ‘outrageous interference’ by the PYD official, saying that the Kurds of the region will defend themselves regardless of what support they receive.

“We are not defined by the U.S., the Syrian regime, Russians or any other government or regime. Just like we have defeated ISIS we will be defeating them,” says Muslim.

Muslim further clarified that confrontations pitting Kurdish forces west of the Euphrates River with Turkish forces will be backed should the need arise, saying that the PYD forces will permit Turkish forces entering so much an inch into Manbij or any other liberated area.

He added that PYD forces will treat any incursion similar to how ISIS is treated.

On the other hand, Turkey says that the military campaign it had launched in Syria last week aims to achieve two different goals. To cleanse the area from ISIS combatants and curb Kurdish influence in the region and expansionist aspirations.

According to Muslim, the U.S.-backed Kurdish PYD forces strictly share a military cooperation with Washington, however, no political collaboration whatsoever.

Washington considers PYD forces an effective armed force in the fight against ISIS. Syrian Kurdish forces now merit the backing of U.S.-led international coalition air power.