Minister says planned elections by YPG are 'unacceptable'

Plans by U.S.-backed YPG to conduct local elections in northern Syria are "unacceptable" and a threat to Türkiye's national security, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler said on June 3.

Türkiye considers the move as a step toward the creation of a separate Kurdish entity across its borders.

In defiance of a U.N. Security Council resolution, the YPG has announced plans to hold municipal elections June 11. The vote to choose mayors will be held in the provinces of Hassakeh, Raqqa, Deir el-Zour and the eastern part of Aleppo province.

In a written reply to questions from The Associated Press, Güler reiterated Türkiye's commitment to establishing a secure corridor along its borders with Syria and Iraq to counter the threat posed by the PKK.

Ankara accuses the PYD and its armed wing, YPG, of ties to PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union.

"It is not possible to accept such a situation," Güler said. "The so-called election efforts that threaten the territorial integrity of Syria will negatively affect peace and tranquility in the region."

"We will not allow any fait accompli that is to the detriment of our national security and the territorial integrity of our neighbors," he added. He did not elaborate on what action Türkiye could take if the YPG proceeds with the elections.

Türkiye has launched a series of major cross-border operations into Syria since 2016 to drive away YPG from its border and now controls parts of northern Syria.

Turkish jets, drones and artillery now regularly hit suspected targets in northern Syria, and in northern Iraq, where the PKK has a foothold.

Güler told the AP that 63 percent of Türkiye's border with Syria border was...