Presence of PKK/YPG groups in Syria threatens entire region

Türkiye's Permanent Representative to the UN Sedat Onal has said the threat to Syria's territorial integrity posed by the PKK/YPG terrorist organization is more worrisome today than ever before.

"The continued presence of terrorist organizations in Syria poses a huge threat to this country and its neighbours, especially Türkiye, as well as to the entire region," the diplomat said at the UNSC meeting on Syria, Anadolu reports.

He said the recent clashes between Arab tribes by PKK/YPG militants in eastern Syria showed once again that the activities of the PKK and the external support the group continues to receive are "the main sources of instability" in that country.

"The repressive and discriminatory practices and human rights violations by this terrorist organization have now been made public. This has also been extensively reported to the UN," he added.

The Ambassador said that Türkiye calls on all stakeholders to demonstrate a comprehensive and long-term approach and to distance themselves from those separatist entities that "have no place in the future of Syria".

He also stressed that Türkiye has the necessary measures to take against direct and immediate threats to its national security from terrorist organizations operating in Syria. "In accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, Türkiye will continue to exercise its legitimate right to self-defence," he said.