Kurd militant groups and US proxies

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the US of supporting PKK “terrorists” and other militant groups, dismissing America’s statement condemning the murder of thirteen Turkish national in Iraq as “ridiculous.” Earlier, US State Department spokesman Ned Price stated that the United States deplores the death of Turkish citizens in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, making clear that, if the PKK was responsible, the US condemns “this action in the strongest possible terms.” Turkish President rejected American statement as “ridiculous” and called on the US to stop supporting the Kurdish terrorist groups including PKK, YPG and PYD. Turkey categorically informed the US, that if it continues this union with United States in the world, in NATO, US will not stand by the terrorists.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have presence in three states of the region including Iran, Iraq and Turkey. They want to establish their own independent country comprising of the regions which currently laid in territories of these three countries. Apparently, there are no chances for Kurds to form their government, but they had been used as proxies by the foreign powers particularly the United States. United States successfully utilized Kurds to overthrow the government of Saddam Hussain in Iraq. America used Kurd fighters against Daesh and still using these groups for achieving political objectives in the region ranging from Libya, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. At time, Kurds militant groups took the shape of mercenary militias available to foreign powers on rent for use across the region. Turkish military has been engaged in operations against Kurd militant groups within the country and in neighbouring state of Syria, to limit the growing activities of PKK at its borders. Turkey launched military offensive “Euphrates Shield” and “Olive Branch” in northwestern Syria and liberated the region from YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists, making it possible for more than 400,000 Syrians to return their home in western Syria. Turkey desires that the US should recognize the PKK as a terrorist organization, because the group has been involved in numerous massacres of Turkish civilians in the past. The Biden administration has, so far, resisted these calls and continued the previous military support that America has given to the PKK and YPG. However, Turkey forcefully lodged its protest to United States that it is badly affecting by US policy in the region, if Turkish demands are not met by the US, then Turkey may have room to maneuver in its interests otherwise.