'Elections' organized by PKK/YPG in northeast Syria are ‘malicious, dangerous’: Association

By Mehmet Burak Karacaoglu and Omer Koparan

AFRIN, Syria (AA) – The Association of Independent Syrian Kurds (KKS) said Wednesday that “elections” organized by the PKK/YPG terrorist organization in the occupied areas of northeastern Syria are “malicious and dangerous.”

The KKS, a component of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, hosted a conference on the so-called polls in the town center of Afrin, which was cleared of the PKK/YPG in 2018.

It was attended by Kurdish political leaders, Kurdish tribes and prominent figures from the region.

KKS Chairman Abdelaziz Tammo told Anadolu that they have serious concerns about the PKK/YPG's attempt to hold local elections in northeastern Syria.

"These elections are an attempt to divide Syria. The reality is that these entities have occupied Syrian territories by force of arms with the support of the international coalition (against Daesh/ISIS).

“We reject any municipal elections taking place on Syrian territories in any form. We call on the international community and the Arab League to immediately stop this political and illegal destruction,” he added.

KKS member Muhammed Ali Isa also said they rejected of the PKK/YPG's election attempt.

"We want to send a message to the world from here. We, as Syrian Kurds and Syrians, are all against this decision,” Isa said.

Underlining that the PKK/YPG's elections are not legal, Isa said: "In general, the Syrian people, especially the Kurdish people, oppose the decisions taken by the PKK/YPG. The parties conducting these activities are not legal or legitimate."

Stating that they distance themselves from such activities as Syrian Kurds, he said: "These activities serve the interests of suspicious countries and harm the geographical integrity and fabric of Syrian society.

“We gathered to take a stance against the illegal and illegitimate elections organized in northeastern Syria by the PKK/YPG,” he added.

Isa pointed out that the practices attempted by the organization are not legal.

"It does not concern Syrian Kurds because this action is neither in the interest of unity nor the Syrian people."

- ‘Illegal party’

"The PKK/YPG aims to divide Syria with the 'terror state.' (The organization's) social contract, election committee and new map steps are actions taken by an illegal party, and we categorically reject them,” said the final statement of the conference organized under the leadership of the KKS.

The statement underlined that the terrorists occupying northeastern Syria operate under the control of the PKK.

It noted that the election decision planned by the terrorist organization was made with the approval of the international coalition led by the US, which was established to combat Daesh/ISIS.

It also called for urgent and comprehensive action against the terrorists' actions.

"The political solution in Syria can only be achieved through UN Resolution 2254. We demand intervention from the international community, the UN and the Arab League to stop this dangerous project,” the statement added.

*Writing by Esra Tekin in Istanbul