Iran-controlled Hashd al-Shaabi militias recruit PKK terrorists on their payroll

Türkiye’s determination regarding the military operation it will launch in northern Syria following increasing terrorist activity in the neighboring country drove the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and the Hashd al-Shaabi front to take action. The two organizations that are in alliance in Iraq and Syria, started militant, weapon, and ammunition shipments to Syria from Iraq’s PKK-occupied Sinjar province on the border. The total number of Hashd al-Shaabi and PKK militants, who crossed the border in groups of 25-30, has now exceeded 1,500. Iran's first move aimed at taking control over Sinjar was to recruit on the payroll PKK terrorists, who are occupying the region and carrying out operations under the cover umbrella of the Sinjar Resistance Units (YBS). Initially, Baghdad put 600 separatist terrorists on the payroll, then another 800. These terrorists, who are recruited under Hashd al-Shaabi, are paid a salary of 400-550 dollars per month. The region, which Türkiye strikes by air from time to time, has a significant place in the PKK’s Qandil-Syria shipments. Sinjar, which is located on the Syrian border, is also a critical income and logistics path for the PKK’s Syrian wing, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), in terms of human, and drug trafficking.   

IRANIAN GOVERNMENT DEMANDED PKK/YPG TO LEAVE SINJAR AS PER SINJAR DEAL 

The Sinjar deal, which was signed on Oct. 9, 2020, with the U.S. as mediator, required all foreign elements to leave the area, with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Peshmergas, as well as control over the region, to be handed over to the Iraqi army. However, Hashd al-Shaabi, which is like "a state within the state" in Iraq, and the PKK/YPG terrorist organization are obstinately striving to prevent the implementation of this deal. Hence, as a result of Türkiye’s successful operations, Iraq, referring to the Sinjar Agreement, which was signed on Oct. 9, demanded the PKK/YPG leave Sinjar. The terrorist organization refused to withdraw, and the tensions that started at the checkpoints turned into clashes. After Iran’s intense efforts, the sides ceased clashes, and the Iraqi army withdrew from the points it took over. 

PKK/YPG TERRORIST ORGANIZATION DUG UP 12-KILOMETER TUNNEL FROM SINJAR TO SYRIA TO SEND NUMEROUS TERRORISTS INTO SYRIA 

Reliable sources had reported the PKK/YPG terrorist organization dug a 12-kilometer tunnel between the valley of the Bare mountain area in Sinjar, near the Hanesor camp, and the Hall region in the Syrian province of Hasakah. It is said that 300,000 tons of concrete blocks were used during the construction of the tunnel – which was dug up a few years ago – and transport vehicles could easily drive through it. 

It was stated that in addition to transporting terrorists through this tunnel, the PKK terrorist organization ensured the passage of weapons, military goods, and explosives as well. Hashd al-Shaabi is monitoring all PKK activity in this area and is aware of all the operations they are carrying out. Yet, they are not intervening in any way, as stated by the same sources. 

GOODS TRANSPORTED VIA TUNNEL TO TAL RIFAT 

The PKK and Hashd al-Shaabi use the routes from Sinjar to Syria in an alliance. They thus use the 150-kilometer border between Rabia and Umm Zyban and Hall without any problems or obstacles. These borders are completely open to the PKK. The PKK is digging up all tunnels with Hashd al-Shaabi's knowledge and approval. It is believed that the PKK has dug up 300-400-meter tunnels in Sinjar’s mountainous areas. The Iraqi security official claimed that numerous artillery and missiles are carried on the convoys from Sinjar to Tal Rifat. 

WHEN WILL TÜRKİYE LAUNCH MILITARY OPERATION ON SYRIA’S TAL RIFAT, MANBIJ AREAS? 

It seems highly likely that Türkiye’s military operation aimed at the PKK/YPG terrorist organization in north Syria will be launched following Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Sochi meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The U.S.  tops the list of countries most disturbed by the launch of this military operation. The U.S. is concerned that this operation will sweep the PKK/YPG out of this region. Essentially, Russia wants to remain on Syria’s coastline, and at most, keep control over the western Euphrates. Iran, on the other hand, is disturbed by local claims that militias affiliated with Iran are responsible for the attack on Mosul. Furthermore, it is concerned that an operation in Syria may harm Iran’s supply chain. 

IS CLAIM THAT Türkiye’S MILITARY OPERATION, WHICH CAN BE CONSIDERED SELF-DEFENSE, HARMS STABILITY IN MIDDLE EAST TRAGICOMICAL? 

It is quite strange that both the PKK terrorist organization and Hashd al-Shaabi militias are clinging to U.S. arguments about Türkiye’s military operation in northern Syria, targeting the PKK/YPG terrorist organization! The claim that Türkiye’s military operation on Tal Rifat and Manbij will cause instability in the Middle East, and thus empower Daesh, is tragicomical! The displacement of millions of people in the eastern Euphrates, which the U.S. occupied by ruining Syria’s territorial integrity, thus changing the demographic structure of the area, and settling terrorists in these areas, using Russia’s NATO expansion as an excuse to use chemical and conventional weapons to massacre civilians, without differentiating between women and children in the Middle East and Ukraine, driving the world to the verge of a nuclear war, Iran’s use of non-state actors and the PKK/YPG in the region does not cause instability, yet Türkiye’s planned military operation on Syria for self-defense does? Wow! Türkiye conducting an operation first in northern Syria, then in the eastern Euphrates, despite the U.S., Russia, and Iran, is essential for the sake of our national security.