Answering questions of Dutch parliamentarians in regards to his government's support to groups in Syria, Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Stef Blok said that the "The YPG is connected to the PKK which is listed as a terrorist organization by the European Union. Moreover, the YPG is fighting against both the regime forces and moderate opposition forces to realize its objective of establishing an autonomous region." Underlining that his government did not give support to the YPG or the PKK under the name of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Blok added that there are several reports on human rights violations perpetrated by the YPG, Daily Sabah reported.
Referring to arms support by the United States to the YPG, Blok indicated: "If the arms had been only used in the fight against Daesh, a legal foundation could be created. Reports of human rights violations, contacts of the YPG with the Syrian regime and the link between the YPG and the PKK are the reasons why the Netherlands government is not supporting the SDF."
It is said that the YPG is planning to establish an autonomous region in northern Syria. The U.S. has been supporting the YPG militarily in fighting against Daesh, causing tensions between the U.S. and Turkey.
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