HEWLÊR-Erbil, Kurdistan region ‘Iraq’,— The pro-KRG Rudaw Media Network from Iraqi Kurdistan was banned in Kobani and the surrounding area in Syrian Kurdistan by the Democratic Union Party (PYD) on Thursday.

Rudaw released a statement regarding the issue and expressed its “serious concerns” following the ban.” The Kurdish Media Network has serious concerns over the Kobani Canton’s decision and considers it a violation of freedom of the media and expression in Syrian Kurdistan,” the statement said, adding that the decision would only “sadden” the people in Kobani.

Rudaw is close to the ruling Kurdistan Democratic party KDP led by Barzani family and Kurdistan Regional Government KRG.

Syrian Kurds declared their own autonomous Kurdish region in November 2013. Main Iraqi Kurdish parties including Patriotic Union of Kurdistan PUK and Gorran Movement had recognized the Syrian Kurdistan government.

The KDP doesn’t recognize the Syrian Kurdish government. Political experts say Massoud Barzani, sees Syrian Kurdistan as potential political competition.

The PYD made a statement regarding the decision and defended its policy. “The decision will be in place unless Rudaw changes its politics.”

The Rudaw’s statement went on to slam the decision and called it “a violation of freedom of the media and expression” in the region. “We would like to ask the respected canton to not ban one of the biggest and most influential Kurdish media outlets, lift all restrictions on the Rudaw team and to stop the violation of media freedom,” the statement further said, and asked for the withdrawal of the decision.

The KRG has been critical of the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers’ Party PKK and its affiliate the PYD party in Syrian Kurdistan. The KRG accused the PYD of impeding the fight against Islamic State (IS) and urged the PKK to leave Sinjar.

In November 2015, the PKK and PYD also participated and have active role in liberating Iraq’s Yazidi town of Sinjar from Islamic State.

The PYD had previously banned Rudaw in August 2015. The PYD had explained the move as a reaction to Rudaw’s alleged provocation of “hostility among the Kurdish nation.” The PYD statement had also said that Rudaw “provoked violence and created tension” as well as “spread prejudice.” The Rudaw statement denied the allegations and defended its operations in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava).

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