MESOP “KURDWATCH REPORT” : The construction of a centralized Stalinist rule system in Rojava by PKK/PYD

KurdWatch, October 31, 2015—On October 28, 2015, the press office of the Democratic Union Party’s (PYD) People’s Defense Units (YPG) announced the formation of a committee to address the problem of the recruitment of minors. As a result of the committee’s work, twenty-one underage recruits were reportedly released from service and returned to their families. Names were not provided. KurdWatch spoke with several families whose minor children had been recruited by the YPG. None of them were among those released.

KurdWatch, October 31, 2015—On October 27, 2015, fighters for the Democratic Union Party’s (PYD) People’s Defense Units (YPG) stormed several liquor stores in Raʾs al‑ʿAyn (Serê Kaniyê). The attackers destroyed bottles containing alcoholic beverages as well as refrigerators. According to information obtained by KurdWatch, the background to this attack is an incident in which several drunken YPG fighters injured themselves with a hand grenade.

KurdWatch, October 31, 2015—On October 22, 2015, approximately twenty students and their relatives protested in al‑Qamishli’s western district against the Democratic Union Party’s (PYD) decision to dismiss them from Christian schools. The students demanded to be allowed to return to their classes.

KurdWatch, October 30, 2015—On October 21, 2015, seventeen Christian organizations operating in al-Hasakah province, including eight churches, condemned the policies of the Democratic Union Party (PYD). According to a joint statement: »The law on administering the funds of those who are absent or have emigrated [further information] is in conflict with the principles of human rights and civil rights. The right to private property is a sacred right, and the attempt to designate emigrants as traitors to patriotism and the nation is unacceptable. […] Such a law represents a demographic threat to Christians in the Jazirah.«

The PYD’s forcible recruitments [download report] were also criticized: »It is intolerable that citizens in this country are being forcibly recruited by two different sides at the same time.« On education policy [further information], the statement says: »Interference in the affairs of the Christian schools in the Jazirah is unfounded and unacceptable.«

KurdWatch, October 29, 2015—On October 26, 2015, the Kurdish National Council organized a rally in al‑Maʿbada (Girkê Legê) against the policies of the Democratic Union Party (PYD). Approximately two thousand people took part in the event. The speakers denounced the PYD’s education policy in particular [further information].

KurdWatch, October 29, 2015—On October 26, 2015, employees of the Asayiş, the security service of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), forcibly recruited several young men from the streets of al‑Hasakah. Exact information on the number of people recruited is not available.

KurdWatch, October 26, 2015—On October 10, 2015, the Democratic Union Party’s (PYD) People’s Defense Units (YPG) and Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) joined together with a Christian militia and a coalition of Arab units to form a new alliance called the »Syrian Democratic Forces« in order to cooperate in the fight against the Islamic State (IS). In mid- October, the US supported the alliance with weapons [further information].

The Arab units, which operate as the »Syrian Arab Coalition«, are primarily militias that have previously cooperated with the YPG. They include, for example, the Sanadid Forces, a Shammar tribal militia, as well as units of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) that fought alongside the YPG as part of the Burkan al-Furat (»Volcano of the Euphrates«) coalition [further information].

KurdWatch, October 26, 2015—On October 19, 2015, Kurdish students at Christian schools in al‑Qamishli brought home notices informing their parents that they should no longer send their children to school. An employee of the al‑Hurriyah school told KurdWatch: »The PYD‑administration gave us the choice of either teaching Kurdish children in Kurdish and using the PYD’s teaching materials or dismissing Kurdish students from the school«.

KurdWatch, October 26, 2015—On October 21, 2015, the city of Tall Abyad’s Council of Elders [further information], which was appointed by the Democratic Union Party (PYD), decided to annex the city and the surrounding areas to the canton of Kobanî, which was established by the PYD. The decision was justified on the grounds of on geographical proximity. The council members – ten Arabs, three Kurds, an Armenian and a Turkmen – hold their meeting next to a photo of Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

KurdWatch, October 21, 2015—After taking over Tall Abyad, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) appointed a council of elders to help it administer the city and the surrounding areas. Arab activists accuse its members of being »PYD puppets«. Many members are also criticized for having close ties to the regime. »The Arab members of the council are not representing their tribes,« activist Ahmad Hajj Salih told KurdWatch. Another activist, Subhi Sukkar, said that the council of elders is not recognized »by the Arab side« and also has no decision-making authority. According to Sukkar, »The YPG [the PYD’s People’s Defense Units] and PYD have sole military and political control.«