Press Release (Original in Arabic)

Syrian Coalition

May 30, 2015

The Syrian Coalition warns the Democratic Union Party (PYD) not to continue with its violations against civilians in Al-Hasaka province, stressing that its terrorist acts correspond precisely with the plans of the Assad regime which seeks to foment chaos in the liberated areas. These practices are no different from those of the Assad regime and ISIS, and they are aimed to ignite infighting between components of the Syrian society and to encourage sectarian and ethnic extremism in the area.

Over the last few months, rural Hasaka has seen an increase in the violations committed by the PYD’s military wing, known as the People’s Protection Units (YPG), against residents of the area. The YPG’s militias launched arrest campaigns against the Arab and Kurdish populations, systematically displaced civilians, forced young people to migrate to dodge compulsory service in their ranks, and kidnapped civilians, especially minors to spread terror among the population. Moreover, they used force in dealing with civilians, and begun to fight rebel battalions, backstabbing them on several occasions.

The Syrian Coalition calls on rebel battalions to be aware of the plans of the Assad regime and its allied militias, and stresses the need to close ranks on all fronts.