Syriac leader slams US, European support to YPG/PKK

World 09:25 21.08.2018
The support of YPG/PKK terrorist groups by the U.S. and European countries has led to more deaths and destruction in Syria, head of a Syriac non-governmental organization said.
 
"The time has come for Americans and Europeans to realize that supporting the YPG, with its current separatist agenda, does not lead to peace and security in Syria, but in fact cause more death and destruction, with the potential of a spill-over effect to neighboring regions," said Johny Messo, president of World Council of Arameans (Syriacs), in an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency.
 
"Among the victims of such an irresponsible policy are Syria's indigenous Aramean people, who have been and continue to be threatened, intimidated and occasionally even eliminated (intellectually and physically) by the YPG," Messo added.
 
Messo said YPG/PKK terrorists have demanded the closure of Aramean and Armenian schools in the Derik and Darbasiyah regions of Syria.
 
"Essentially, they do this because the native Arameans reject their ongoing demands," he said.
 
Messo said these demands include the Kurdish language and textbooks to be incorporated in the school curriculum and YPG/PKK also expect the Arameans to ask for a permit or license for their schools to exist.
 
"The fact that the Aramean Christians and other vulnerable minorities in the region do not recognize the separatist PYD/YPG as the rulers of Northeast Syria is a thorn in the eye for them," he said.
 
"Threatening to shut down the schools of the remaining native Arameans of Northeast Syria is outrageous, scandalous and shameful," Messo stressed.
 
YPG/PKK shutting down schools of Arameans
 
He said the World Council of Arameans "strongly condemns such acts of terror", and will do whatever it takes to prevent such developments.
 
"Shutting down independent schools of vulnerable minorities, such as the Arameans, exposes the exclusivist and destructive ideology, agenda and objectives of the YPG," Messo said.
 
Last week the YPG/PKK terror group shut down three Aramean schools in parts of northeastern Syria under its control on grounds that the targeted schools did not have a license.
 
Messo said in the recent years, Syria's indigenous Arameans (Syriacs) were deliberately targeted in a number of ways by the YPG/PKK.
 
He said the terrorists have threatened, intimidated, oppressed and even killed Arameans in the region.
 
"Forcing the closure of independent intellectual institutions, which had already been recognized by the state, flies by all means in the face of international law and reveals the double-speak of the YPG with regard to human rights, civil liberties and especially a so-called free, democratic and pluralistic region they continue to promote," Messo added.
 
According to map calculations made by Anadolu Agency, the Bashar al-Assad regime controls about 59 percent of Syria, while the YPG/PKK terror group controls 27.7 percent of the country.
 
The YPG/PKK is Syrian branch of the PKK -- recognized as a terror group by the U.S., EU, and Turkey.
 
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has claimed some 40,000 lives, including many women and children.
 
Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO

News line

Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
20:39 18.03.2024
EU to boost military support fund for Ukraine by EUR 5 bln — Hungarian foreign minister
20:00 18.03.2024
Industrial zones to be created in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan, Jabrayil, and Gubadli
19:16 18.03.2024
Reuters: Only an oil slump can stop Russia
19:00 18.03.2024
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
18:33 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates people of Azerbaijan on occasion of Novruz holiday - UPDATED
18:00 18.03.2024
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
17:47 18.03.2024
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
17:28 18.03.2024
Armenia’s anti-Russian policy reaches new level
17:11 18.03.2024
"The Middle Corridor plays a key role for Green Energy" - Expert Ali Pasha
16:45 18.03.2024
Central square of Khankandi named “Victory Square”
16:22 18.03.2024
President: We demonstrated tremendous heroism during the II Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation
16:16 18.03.2024
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus visited IEPF - PHOTOS - VIDEO
16:00 18.03.2024
Historic opportunity emerged to advance the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace agenda - FM Bayramov
15:21 18.03.2024
Bayramov and Stoltenberg discuss normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia
15:03 18.03.2024
Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO
14:58 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg's visit to the Caucasus: "NATO is in panic" - OPİNİON
14:29 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
14:00 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg concludes his official visit to Azerbaijan
13:42 18.03.2024
Geomagnetic storm expected on March 20
13:33 18.03.2024
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
13:19 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev makes a phone call to Vladimir Putin
13:00 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev lit Novruz bonfire in Khankandi and congratulated Azerbaijani people
12:34 18.03.2024
Foreign students attacked in India over Ramadan prayers
12:30 18.03.2024
Spring comes to Northern Hemisphere
Spring comes to Northern Hemisphere
12:17 18.03.2024
Why does Azerbaijan matter to the European Union? - OPINION
12:00 18.03.2024
Number of human remains found in mass grave in Khojaly reaches 19
11:45 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev meets Pakistani envoy to China
Hikmat Hajiyev meets Pakistani envoy to China
11:33 18.03.2024
EU Council to discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization
11:23 18.03.2024
Global Terrorism Index: Azerbaijan among countries with highest anti-terror rating worldwide
10:56 18.03.2024
Oil prices keep rising
Oil prices keep rising
10:40 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg: NATO looking forward to further strengthening partnership with Azerbaijan
10:23 18.03.2024
Azerbaijani police found numerous weapons and ammunition in Khankandi
10:10 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev: There is a good chance for settlement of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations
09:57 18.03.2024
Putin warns about possible war between Russia and NATO
09:40 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev meets with Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment of China
09:23 18.03.2024
Azerbaijan relocates 123 more residents to Fuzuli city
08:53 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev held expanded meeting over dinner with Jens Stoltenberg
23:07 17.03.2024
Putin wins the presidential elections for fifth term, exit poll shows
22:43 17.03.2024
COP29 will be turning point, says NATO Secretary-General
21:54 17.03.2024
Hamısı