A 20 million TL bounty was on his head: PKK terrorist wanted by Turkey with a red notice becomes deputy minister in Syria

Semir Asu, who was alleged to have been killed in the Qamishli region of Syria last January and is known within the PKK/YPG terrorist organization by the codenames "Sipan Hemo" and "Derviş Afrin," has been appointed as the Deputy Minister of Defense of Syria.

Asu, whose name is on the wanted list, was one of the individuals sought by the Turkish Ministry of Interior in the red category with a 20 million TL reward.

The appointment, carried out by Syrian authorities, was announced on state television. Semir Asu was known as a close associate of Mazlum Abdi, one of the high-ranking figures of the YPG terrorist organization, and played a significant role in the organization's senior management.

Following the public outcry over the appointment, harsh criticisms emerged in the political arena. İYİ Party Balıkesir Deputy Turhan Çömez, in his statement regarding the matter, said, "A PKK terrorist has become the Syrian Deputy Minister of Defense. He is on the wanted list on our Ministry of Interior's official website. Perhaps one day he will come to our country and be welcomed with a red carpet. The Jolani government has become the Öcalani government."

Çömez continued his remarks as follows:

"A terrorist is being appointed as a deputy minister. What kind of world leadership is this?"

??A PKK terrorist,
??Also one of the high-ranking militants of the YPG,
??Codename Sipan Hemo,
??Real name Semir Asu,
?Became the Syrian Deputy Minister of Defense.
?He is still wanted with a red notice on our Ministry of Interior's official website.
??The man might even come to our country one day,… pic.twitter.com/EntSXoRTlW

— Turhan Çömez (@ComezTurhan) March 10, 2026

News Source: 12punto