Turkey claims responsibility for YPG fighter death
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the death of a People's Protection Units (YPG) fighter in northeast Syria (Rojava), days after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) pronounced him dead.
The SDF on Thursday confirmed the death of two YPG fighters in an “air attack” in Qamishli a day prior, among them was “Dijwar Kobani,” whom Turkey later claimed responsibility for his death.
Turkish state media Anadolu Agency identified the fighter as Muhsin Yagan, code-named "Dijvar Silopi" and said he was the "so-called Qamishli state administrator" of the YPG, attributing his death to a National Intelligence Agency (MIT) operation in Rojava.
The SDF, however, did not disclose any leadership positions that the fighter held.
The backbone of the US-allied SDF, the YPG is designated a terrorist organization by Ankara and considered the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Turkey has recently ramped up its attacks in northern Syria, as it seeks to target fighters and key figures of the SDF in preparation for a looming offensive it intends to launch against Kurdish fighters in the area.
The US has repeatedly called for "immediate de-escalation" in northern Syria, expressing concern over the upcoming Turkish offensive potentially setting back years of progress made in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).
At least 15 SDF fighters have been killed in attacks blamed on Turkey since late July.
The SDF on Thursday claimed that its forces killed 23 Turkish soldiers in Rojava earlier after it vowed revenge for the death of its fighters. Ankara did not comment on the matter.
The SDF on Thursday confirmed the death of two YPG fighters in an “air attack” in Qamishli a day prior, among them was “Dijwar Kobani,” whom Turkey later claimed responsibility for his death.
Turkish state media Anadolu Agency identified the fighter as Muhsin Yagan, code-named "Dijvar Silopi" and said he was the "so-called Qamishli state administrator" of the YPG, attributing his death to a National Intelligence Agency (MIT) operation in Rojava.
The SDF, however, did not disclose any leadership positions that the fighter held.
The backbone of the US-allied SDF, the YPG is designated a terrorist organization by Ankara and considered the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Turkey has recently ramped up its attacks in northern Syria, as it seeks to target fighters and key figures of the SDF in preparation for a looming offensive it intends to launch against Kurdish fighters in the area.
The US has repeatedly called for "immediate de-escalation" in northern Syria, expressing concern over the upcoming Turkish offensive potentially setting back years of progress made in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).
At least 15 SDF fighters have been killed in attacks blamed on Turkey since late July.
The SDF on Thursday claimed that its forces killed 23 Turkish soldiers in Rojava earlier after it vowed revenge for the death of its fighters. Ankara did not comment on the matter.