Daily Sabah: France reaffirms support for PKK/YPG terrorists in Syria

France has reaffirmed its support for the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, the YPG, praising the "courage" of the group amid ongoing clashes with the Syrian National Army (SNA) in northern Syria following Bashar Assad’s ousting.

Danielle Simonnet, a deputy in the French National Assembly, called on the international community to assist the YPG and demanded that Türkiye cease its cross-border operations against the PKK/YPG in northern Iraq, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish Daily Sabah.

During a parliamentary session, Simonnet referred to the SNA as “Türkiye-backed militants” and described their actions against the PKK/YPG as a “war,” adding that this conflict continues despite the fall of the Assad regime. She also mentioned that a delegation from her party had recently visited Ayn al-Arab, a city held by the PKK/YPG.

The PKK is recognized as a terrorist group by the European Union, the US, and Türkiye, with the group being responsible for over 40,000 deaths in Türkiye, including those of women and children. The PKK has established strongholds in northern Iraq and Syria, aiming to create a self-declared “Kurdish state,” while the YPG serves as its Syrian extension, which is supported by the US.

President Emmanuel Macron recently assured that France would not abandon the YPG. Simonnet added that the international community “salutes the courage” of the PKK/YPG but also claimed it had “abandoned” the group in the face of Türkiye’s operations.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also addressed the National Assembly, describing the YPG as an “ally” and announcing that the YPG would be included in the upcoming Syria conference in Paris on February 13. Barrot emphasized that the YPG must be part of Syria's new administration and expressed discomfort over Türkiye’s counterterrorism operations.

Türkiye views the PKK/YPG as a terrorist organization on par with Daesh and insists that the group should have no role in Syria’s future.

Ankara has expressed confidence in the new Syrian administration’s ability to combat the PKK/YPG but has threatened military action if the group refuses to disband.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has made it clear that the PKK/YPG must “bury their arms,” or they will face annihilation.

By Tamilla Hasanova