KRG accuses PYD of "gone beyond limit"
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 4:37 am
Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has said that the Democratic Union Party (PYD), a Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), has gone too far in committing violence against other Kurdish groups in Syria.
While the crisis between the KRG and the PYD over reports that KRG President Massoud Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) had prevented PYD leader Saleh Muslim from entering the KRG is ongoing, Safeen Dizayee, spokesperson for the KRG, said: “Unfortunately, these guys [PYD members] have gone too far.”
Touching on claims that the KRG is having problems with Kurds in Syria, Dizayee said the KRG is facing troubles with “particular” groups in Syria, referring to the PYD.
Criticizing the PYD's attitude in northern Syria, Dizayee said he hoped the PYD leadership would take into account the KRG's warnings and solve the internal disputes among Kurds in Syria. “Syrian Kurds can only get their rights through unity and solidarity,” said Dizayee, calling on the PYD to stop committing violence against other Kurdish groups in the war-torn country.
There were reports that due to the PYD's pressure on Kurds in Syria, Barzani made a move and called Muslim to northern Iraq, where Barzani delivered a strong warning. There were also claims that Barzani regards Muslim not as a Kurdish leader but a collaborator of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the regime's tool.
As Syrian Kurds have recently gained ground in the country's north as a result of fierce fighting with Nusra Front, the disputes among Kurdish groups have also emerged.
There are two Syrian Kurdish groups in Syria: the Syrian Kurdish National Council (KNC), a group that has agreed to join the main Syrian opposition, and the Syrian Kurdish Supreme Council, which refuses to join the Syrian opposition fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad.
The KRG supports the KNC; however, the same support does not seem to be given to the Syrian Kurdish Supreme Council, which includes members of the PYD.
PYD didn't keep up with protocol rules, cooperated with Assad
Dizayee also noted that the KRG has supported all the Kurdish groups and hosted meetings bringing them together. “In order to maintain unity, we did our utmost to bring them to the table. Last year, a protocol was signed between the PYD and other Kurdish groups. Unfortunately, the PYD didn't obey this protocol. Currently, the PYD is trying to
capture the areas belonging to other Kurdish groups,” said Dizayee.
The KRG has recently released a statement saying the PYD is in close cooperation with the Syrian regime.
“The PYD is fighting for the interests of the regime and working closely with it. The PYD is not respecting the will of the Kurdish people,” said the statement.
While the crisis between the KRG and the PYD over reports that KRG President Massoud Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) had prevented PYD leader Saleh Muslim from entering the KRG is ongoing, Safeen Dizayee, spokesperson for the KRG, said: “Unfortunately, these guys [PYD members] have gone too far.”
Touching on claims that the KRG is having problems with Kurds in Syria, Dizayee said the KRG is facing troubles with “particular” groups in Syria, referring to the PYD.
Criticizing the PYD's attitude in northern Syria, Dizayee said he hoped the PYD leadership would take into account the KRG's warnings and solve the internal disputes among Kurds in Syria. “Syrian Kurds can only get their rights through unity and solidarity,” said Dizayee, calling on the PYD to stop committing violence against other Kurdish groups in the war-torn country.
There were reports that due to the PYD's pressure on Kurds in Syria, Barzani made a move and called Muslim to northern Iraq, where Barzani delivered a strong warning. There were also claims that Barzani regards Muslim not as a Kurdish leader but a collaborator of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the regime's tool.
As Syrian Kurds have recently gained ground in the country's north as a result of fierce fighting with Nusra Front, the disputes among Kurdish groups have also emerged.
There are two Syrian Kurdish groups in Syria: the Syrian Kurdish National Council (KNC), a group that has agreed to join the main Syrian opposition, and the Syrian Kurdish Supreme Council, which refuses to join the Syrian opposition fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad.
The KRG supports the KNC; however, the same support does not seem to be given to the Syrian Kurdish Supreme Council, which includes members of the PYD.
PYD didn't keep up with protocol rules, cooperated with Assad
Dizayee also noted that the KRG has supported all the Kurdish groups and hosted meetings bringing them together. “In order to maintain unity, we did our utmost to bring them to the table. Last year, a protocol was signed between the PYD and other Kurdish groups. Unfortunately, the PYD didn't obey this protocol. Currently, the PYD is trying to
capture the areas belonging to other Kurdish groups,” said Dizayee.
The KRG has recently released a statement saying the PYD is in close cooperation with the Syrian regime.
“The PYD is fighting for the interests of the regime and working closely with it. The PYD is not respecting the will of the Kurdish people,” said the statement.