Istanbul (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Turkey’s defence ministry said it had killed 23 Kurdish militants in northern Syria. The defence ministry stated the militants belonged to the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia and the banned Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK.
The Turkish government sees the PKK and YPG as the same in essence since the former are grounded in the ideology and the connection of the leaders. The YPG is continually branded by President Erdoğan and Turkish officials as a terrorist group identical to the PKK, an insurgency that has been ongoing in Turkey since the 1980s. Such an impression is colored by the fear of how Kurdish autonomy in Syria will have similar political mobilization among Kurds within Turkey.
Why does the US support the YPG in Syria?
On the other hand, America recognizes the YPG different from the PKK. The United States has cooperated with YPG in its fight against ISIS in Syria, as they seem to be a competent force despite Turkey’s objection. This alliance has complicated diplomatic relations between Turkey and the U.S.
For the United States, the YPG is a separate entity from the PKK, primarily for its efficacy in fighting against ISIS. The YPG has been a vital strategic alliance for the U.S. military to fight the Islamic State in Syria; these demands have upset Turkey. It has been one of the significant issues that have defined U.S.-Turkey relations, as Washington remained adamant on opposing Ankara’s insistence to stop such aid to the YPG.
Moreover, internal politics within Turkey further complicates the relationship with the U.S. Turkish President Erdoğan used U.S. support for the YPG as a political tool at home, given that elections are approaching. The Turkish government has hoped for a U.S. administration change to be able to reassess its policy more freely, especially when former President Trump had earlier indicated a rethink of the US military’s presence and support in Syria.