US seizes Syrian opposition arms, sends them to PKK

The United States have been seizing machine guns and technical vehicles, particularly Tow missiles, which have been delivered to the opposition since 2012, under the leadership of the Friends of Syria Group, and sending them to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party-affiliated Democratic Union Party (PYD) terrorist group. Medium-range DShK and 23 millimeter automatic weapons, as well as launching pads and howitzers, are delivered to PYD in Qamishli, Al-Hasakah of Syria.

Vail Muazar, spokesperson for the Omar Brigades who are fighting in eastern Syria, said the U.S had four conditions: “Stop fighting al-Assad, focus only on Daesh, send troops to Raqqa, and deliver heavy weapons and equipment to them.” Muazar stated that the U.S. threatened the groups not willing to deliver the weapons with bombing them.

The United States extorts the weapons from the opposition groups fighting on the eastern front (Daraa, Damascus and Homs), and sends them to PYD in Al-Hasakah through Jordan. The groups fighting on the eastern front declared that they will not bow down and give in to this blackmail. Vail Muazar stated that 11 brigades have united and created a joint force, and that 40 opposition groups have continued negotiations for the same purpose. Opposition spokesman defined their aim as “fighting for freedom without being dependent on any external powers,” and noted that their objective was to establish the United Syrian Front, within the scope of the recent unification activities.

According to the Omar Brigades spokesman, the U.S. carried out a shipment to PYD in June and July, including 1,050 trucks of weapons, ammunition, tanks, and armored vehicles by land. He noted that they aim to protect the PYD terrorist organization by making the opposition fight against Daesh, first in Raqqa, and then in Deir ez-Zor. Muazar pointed out that the U.S. will primarily train the groups bowing to their orders in Jordan for a month, and then send them to Qamishli.

A similar statement came from al-Karama commanders. Stating that the United States forced them to support PYD under similar conditions, “Heavy harassment from the U.S. authorities have been ongoing since July 17. They threaten to bomb our positions unless we support PKK-PYD,” Brigade Commander Abu Omar al-Homsi said.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States.

The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.