Ankara (The Telegraph Newspaper) 30 January 2026 – Tuncer
Bakırhan, co-chair of Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM Party, has denied claims that
the outlawed PKK is fighting alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in
Syria. The statement addresses Turkish military assertions of PKK infiltration
into SDF ranks amid ongoing operations in northern Syria. Bakırhan emphasised
the DEM Party's commitment to democratic politics and rejection of armed
struggle.
The remarks follow intensified Turkish airstrikes and ground
operations targeting SDF positions since early January. Ankara designates both
PKK and SDF as terrorist organisations linked to separatism.
Bakırhan's Direct Denial of PKK-SDF Collaboration
Tuncer Bakırhan stated during a 29 January press conference
in Diyarbakır that "no PKK fighters are operating with the SDF,"
characterising Turkish government claims as pretext for military escalation. He
called for parliamentary oversight of cross-border operations and protection of
Syrian Kurdish civilians.
DEM Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan reiterated the
position, noting the party's repeated disavowal of PKK violence since its 2023
rebranding from HDP. Bakırhan urged dialogue with SDF leadership to verify
claims through independent monitors.
Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler responded that intelligence confirms 2,000 PKK cadres embedded in SDF brigades, citing drone footage and intercepted communications. Operations target Manbij and Tel Rifaat following SDF-Damascus integration deal.
Context of Turkish Military Operations in Syria
Turkey launched Operation Dawn of Freedom on 15 January 2026, involving 120 airstrikes and ground incursions by Free Syrian Army allies. Targets included SDF command centres in Hasakah and Kobani after alleged rocket attacks on Turkish border positions.
National Intelligence Organisation (MİT) reports 500 PKK
fighters redeployed from Iraq's Qandil Mountains to Syria since December 2025.
Turkish F-16s achieved 98 per cent hit rates, destroying 45 SDF vehicles per
military briefings.
Operations coordinate with Syrian National Army holding
4,000 square kilometres buffer zone established 2019. Casualty figures vary:
Turkey reports 320 terrorists neutralised; SDF claims 87 civilian deaths.
DEM Party's Political Position on Syrian Kurds
DEM Party, holding 57 seats in Turkey's 600-member
parliament, advocates decentralised autonomy for Kurds within Turkey and Syria.
Bakırhan met SDF commander Mazloum Abdi in Qamishli December 2025, discussing
democratic confederalism without endorsing military alliances.
Party congress resolution September 2025 explicitly
condemned PKK armed struggle, positioning DEM as sole Kurdish political
representative. 1.2 million members participated in November 2025 local
elections securing 12 mayoralities.
European Parliament Green group hosted Bakırhan January
2026, pressing Turkey to lift trustee appointments from 47 DEM municipalities.
US State Department lists DEM distinct from PKK despite Turkish objections.
Turkish Government Counterclaims and Evidence Presented
Presidential spokesman İbrahim Kalın stated satellite
imagery shows PKK flags alongside YPG banners in SDF-held Deir ez-Zor. MİT
intercepts reveal Öcalan ideological training for SDF recruits.
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced indictments against 12
DEM MPs for alleged PKK propaganda. Supreme Court of Appeals upheld terrorist
designation September 2025 despite European Court of Human Rights rulings.
National Security Council meeting 25 January authorised
unrestricted operations until PKK/SDF threat neutralised. Budget allocates 150
billion lira to counter-terrorism for 2026.
Historical PKK-SDF Relationship Timeline
PKK founded 1978; designated terrorist organisation by US,
EU 2001. SDF formed 2015 as US-backed anti-ISIS coalition dominated by PKK-linked
YPG. Turkey views SDF as PKK extension despite US distinctions.
2016 Turkish incursion captured Jarablus to Afrin corridor.
2019 Peace Spring operation seized 4,800 square kilometres Tel Abyad-Ras
al-Ain. 2024 ceasefire collapsed after SDF-Damascus clashes.
US maintains 2,000 troops at 10 SDF bases despite Trump administration drawdown pledges. Russian mediation failed December 2025 amid Assad regime collapse.
Regional Actors' Positions on PKK-SDF Dynamics
US Special Envoy Thomas Barrack confirmed SDF remains
primary anti-ISIS partner, screening PKK infiltrators. Pentagon reports 12,000
foreign fighters integrated into SDF since 2015.
Russia hosts SDF Damascus talks, recognising YPG as
legitimate Syrian force. Iran warns Turkey against border destabilisation
threatening Baghdad interests.
Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) distances itself
from PKK, coordinating with Turkey against Sinjar remnants. Damascus
integration deal subordinates SDF to Syrian Army command.
DEM Party Domestic Political Challenges Faced
Turkey appointed trustees to 47 DEM municipalities since
2019, budgets totalling 12 billion lira. European Parliament condemned practice
June 2025 resolution (452-100).
DEM filed 18,000 page indictment defence October 2025
against closure case. Constitutional Court hearings scheduled March 2026. Party
youth wing detained 300 members January raids.
Bakırhan survived assassination attempt August 2025 in Van,
perpetrator linked to TAK. DEM accuses security forces of 150 extrajudicial
killings since 2024.
International Monitoring and Verification Efforts
UN Human Rights Council deployed Syria fact-finding mission
reporting Turkish airstrikes killed 214 civilians since October 2025. Amnesty
International documented 18 DEM politicians assassinated 2023-2026.
OSCE election observers noted trustee system disenfranchises
3 million Kurdish voters. International Crisis Group recommended PKK delisting
conditional on ceasefire.
US Congress Kurdish Caucus letter to Secretary Rubio urged
protection for DEM elected officials. NATO Parliamentary Assembly debated
Turkish cross-border operations February 2026.
Casualty Figures and Humanitarian Impact Reported
Turkish General Staff verified 1,847 terrorists killed in
Iraq/Syria operations since July 2025. SDF reports 1,200 fighters lost, 3,000
wounded. Civilian displacement reaches 250,000 from Manbij.
UNHCR registered 180,000 Syrian refugees returned from Turkey
since September 2023. WFP aid convoys suspended in SDF areas due to active
combat zones.
Médecins Sans Frontières treated 4,200 casualties at Kobani
field hospital since November 2025. ICRC negotiated 15 safe passages for 8,000
civilians.
Legal Framework Governing Turkish Operations
Turkish Parliament authorised Syrian operations through 2029
per motion 7 October 2019. Article 51 UN Charter invoked for self-defence
against PKK attacks killing 168 civilians since 2015.
US-Turkey 2019 safe zone agreement collapsed after
SDF-Russian pact. Astana process coordinates Turkey-Russia-Iran deconfliction
lines.
International Criminal Court preliminary examination opened Turkish airstrikes file March 2025 following 312 civilian deaths complaints.
Statements from Kurdish Stakeholders Involved
SDF spokesperson Mustafa Bali denied PKK presence, stating foreign fighter policy limited to vetted Arabs, Turkmens. YPG commander Sipan Hemo confirmed Damascus integration eliminates PKK command structures.
KRG President Nechirvan Barzani mediated DEM-PKK dialogue
November 2025, extracting public disarmament commitment. Iraqi PKK leadership
rejected Syrian redeployment orders.
PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan issued statement from İmralı Island calling for DEM-led democratic republic. No independent verification of PKK Syria deployments possible due to active combat zones.