YPG launches attacks against Peshmerga forces: Ministry of Peshmerga

The attack comes after a small group of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants attempted to infiltrate into the Kurdistan Region illegally overnight Tuesday on the Iraq-Syria border.
Sarbast Lazgin, deputy minister of Peshmerga, speaks during a press conference, Dec. 16, 2020. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)
Sarbast Lazgin, deputy minister of Peshmerga, speaks during a press conference, Dec. 16, 2020. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces repelled and foiled an attack on Wednesday at dawn from the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) who tried to infiltrate the region, the ministry of Peshmerga said in a press conference.

“At around 4 a.m., a group of YPG forces with heavy ammunition attacked Peshmerga forces who are stationed to protect border areas,” Deputy Minister of Peshmerga Sarbast Lazgin said in a press conference, noting that the clashes continued for over an hour between the forces.

The attack comes after a small group of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants attempted to infiltrate into the Kurdistan Region illegally overnight Tuesday on the Iraq-Syria border.

“The Peshmerga forces did not let a group of PKK cross the Faysh Khabur River illegally and infiltrate the Kurdistan Region,” the Peshmerga official added.

The YPG attackers consisted of 56 militants who used heavy ammunition including rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and DShK and attempted to seize the Peshmerga outpost stationed to protect the border area, according to Lazgin.

Peshmerga forces “foiled” the attacks without resulting in any civilian casualties, Lazgin told reporters, adding that “the attackers returned to Syria.”

The latest development comes after a group of PKK fighters on Monday in Duhok province attacked a Peshmerga forces checkpoint, martyring a Peshmerga fighter.

Read More: Peshmerga officer martyred as PKK launches new attack against Kurdistan Region forces

YPG forces have often been labeled an extension of the PKK in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), composing the majority of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The top Peshmerga ministry official also criticized SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi, saying “he is not free to express his opinion,” as he is instructed by the PKK.

Lazgin also called on the Coalition forces “to take a stance” and condemn the act of violence “as it is unacceptable for the YPG to attack Peshmerga forces from Syria.”

On Monday, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, in a phone call with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Levant Affairs and the Special Envoy for Syria, Joel Rayburn, stressed the need for the SDF to free themselves from domination by the PKK and, in particular, not to allow the PKK to exploit the aid which it receives.

Read More: PM Barzani: PKK threatening regional stability; domination of SDF must end