Striking YPG assessment from US Ambassador Tom Barrack: 'It is a derivative of the PKK'

US Ambassador to Ankara and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack stated, "We do not owe the SDF the establishment of an independent state. What you call the SDF is the YPG. The YPG is a derivative of the PKK."

Barrack responded to questions regarding the SDF and Syria as follows:

"We are not dictating anything to anyone. What you call the SDF is the YPG, and the YPG is the PKK. The PKK has begun to lay down its arms today. The PKK-Turkey impasse is a truly complex issue. The YPG is a structure derived from the PKK, with which we acted together against DAESH."

"WE ARE NOT INDEBTED"

"Therefore, there is a sentiment among Americans that 'We were partners with them, we owe them.' We do not owe them the right to establish an independent state within a state. What I owe them is this: we have an obligation to offer a path for a reasonable transition to a new administration. There needs to be reasonableness regarding how they will integrate into a single Syria under this new regime. Syria argues that it cannot be a Syria with a federal system. Separate Druze forces dressing like Druze, Alawites dressing like Alawites, and Kurds dressing like Kurds cannot be an army in Syria. There will be a single structure. They have been in power for 7 months and are trying to reconcile these interests. This is a very difficult issue for the SDF. We are aware of this as well."

"THE AGREEMENT DID NOT WORK"

"There was an agreement in March. They reached an agreement in principle. It did not work. Why didn't it work? Because everyone rushed into an agreement before the details were clear. Details are important. Now is the time to clarify the details, bring everyone together, and tell the child in the playground 'come on now.' The SDF thinks the US is indebted to them. The US, however, says, 'We owe you reasonable treatment, but if you are not reasonable, other alternatives will come to the agenda.'"