Syrian mother longs to be reunited with daughter abducted by PKK/YPG

By Omer Koparan and Mehmet Burak Karacaoglu

AZEZ, Syria (AA) – Almost a year ago Selma Abdo’s daughter was abducted by the PKK/YPG terrorists, and every day since the Syrian mother has desperately waited for the return of her child.

Rim Abdo was only 13 when she was kidnapped from northeastern Syria's Al-Hasakah. The terrorists kidnapped her as she was returning home from school in 2023, her mother told Anadolu.

At the time, the city was occupied by PKK/YPG terrorists, she added.

Selma, 50, claims her daughter was kidnapped to fight for the terrorist group.

"They took my daughter to a military camp for training. How can a 13-year-old child be given military training? My child's only thought was to play games. Her only dream was to become a doctor,” she said.

Selma wanted the terrorist group to be held accountable and her daughter to be freed.

- Over 1,200 children kidnapped in 2022

The PKK/YPG terrorists often kidnap young people and children and take them to camps for armed training.

According to UN figures, the PKK and its Syrian branch, the YPG, abducted and coerced over 1,200 children into fighting among their ranks in 2022 alone.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed grave concerns over the exploitation of children by the PKK, urging an end to their recruitment and the release of all children held by the terrorist group.

In its nearly 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is PKK’s Syrian offshoot.