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Iraq Kurdistan official to Israelis: Your public support for the Kurds in Syria portrays them as your agents

January 20, 2025 at 8:50 am

US forces provide military training to members of the YPG/SDF, which Turkiye consider as an extension of PKK in Syria, in the Qamisli district in the Al-Hasakah province, Syria on August 16, 2023 [Hedil Amir – Anadolu Agency]

A senior official in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq conveyed messages to the Israeli occupation stating that its public support for the Kurds in Syria is harmful and serves the interests of “extremist parties” and Iran, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Makan reported that the Kurdish official warned the Israelis that their public support for the Kurds in Syria exposes them to the risk of losing their regional status.

He explained that such statements may portray the Kurds as collaborators with Israel, which may negatively affect their status in the region.

The official called on the Kurds in Syria to adopt a more moderate strategy that includes separating from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and engaging in a political process that guarantees their rights, similar to the Kurdish model in Iraq.

The website noted that in recent days, initial contact has taken place between Kurdish officials in northeastern Syria and Israeli officials, amid regional changes that include the fall of the Assad regime and Turkiye’s efforts to limit the control of the People’s Defence Units (YPG), which it classifies as a terrorist organisation.

In this regard, Israel’s Haaretz newspaper published an article in which it said: “The Kurds’ hand is still extended.(…) Israel must not miss this moment.”

“One group in Syria – a group that’s actually a people – has potential for a true alliance with Israel: the Kurds. This group is now in existential danger amid a possible offensive by Turkey-sponsored jihadis,” it added.

The newspaper noted that “When it became obvious that the Assad regime in Syria was doomed, to be replaced mainly by jihadi factions, the Kurds turned to Israel for cooperation, as they have for decades,” adding, “the Kurds managed to acquire territories of their own in northern Syria and northern Iraq.”

The newspaper stated that “The Kurds’ enemies are Israel’s enemies – Iran, Hezbollah, Bashar Assad, jihadis and to some extent even [Turkish President] Erdogan.”

Read: Turkiye slams France over plans to secure northern Syria border in support of Kurdish militias