Syrian regime helps Daesh, PKK/PYD, commander says

Bashar al-Assad's forces are helping Daesh and PKK/PYD in opposing the Free Syrian Army (FSA), a commander said Tuesday.

Abu Ramadan said Daesh and the PKK/PYD were acting together along the Marea-Jarabulus line in northern Aleppo province.

“Daesh came into action four years ago when Assad could not cope with the opposition,” he told Anadolu Agency. “Now, the regime not only helps Daesh but also PKK/PYD in the region.”

He added: “The regime and PKK/PYD play every single play to prevent the FSA's progress against Daesh in the region.”

The PKK and its Syrian offshoot the PYD are both listed as terrorist groups by Turkey although the U.S. and EU only view the PKK as a terrorist organization.

Operation Euphrates Shield was launched in late August to rid the north Syrian border area of terrorists. The campaign has seen both Daesh and the PKK/PYD targeted by the Turkey-backed FSA.