Turkey: YPG Does Not Represent Syrian Kurds, Says Foreign Minister

Turkey’s foreign minister has stated that the YPG and its affiliated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are terrorist groups and do not represent Syria's Kurdish population. Hakan Fidan made the remarks while discussing regional security. He also addressed the issue of Islamic State (Daesh) prisoners held in SDF-controlled camps in northeast Syria. "Ideally, the transfer of Daesh prisoners from Syria should take place," Fidan said. "While this is happening, the existing non-conflict environment needs to be maintained." Turkey considers the YPG a terrorist organization linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has fought a decades-long insurgency inside Turkey. The United States, however, has partnered with the SDF as a key ally in the fight against Daesh. Fidan’s comments highlight Turkey's ongoing demand for Western nations to repatriate their citizens who are Daesh detainees. Turkey warns that the security of these camps is a persistent threat.