Skip to main content

Kurdish militia aims to connect Kurdish enclaves in Syria

Syria's central Kurdish militia attempts to garner enough support in northern Syrian to create a contiguous Kurdish zone.
A pro-Kurdish demonstrator displays his tattoo as she attends a rally marking the 20th anniversary of the introduction of a ban of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Berlin November 16, 2013. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX15G0V

BEIRUT — The main Kurdish militia in Syria, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), has plans to take over mixed areas inhabited by Arabs, Turkmen and Kurds to make a contiguous Kurdish region. This would make the plan to create a de facto Kurdish government in northern Syria more feasible despite opposition by Turkey and other Syrian rebels.

For now, there are three Kurdish enclaves controlled by Kurdish fighters, separated by the Arab-dominated areas of Tel Abyad, Jarabulus and Azaz, where al-Qaeda-affiliated groups are strong.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.