US 'Concerned' by Reports Kurdish Fighters in Syria Are Expelling Arabs
by Mary Alice Salinas June 12, 2015
The United States is looking into allegations that Kurdish forces in Syria are taking advantage of the fight against Islamic State to drive Arab residents out of areas under their control.
U.S. State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke told reporters Friday, "We are aware of the reports and we are concerned by them and we are seeking more information about them."
Thousands of people crossed from Syria into Turkey this week to flee fighting between Syrian Kurds and other opposition forces battling Islamic State in the northeastern corner of Syria.
The area is critical to the militant group because it adjoins territory under its control in Iraq. But Turkish officials accuse Kurdish fighters of using the battle to also expand their control over the region.
Fleeing refugees
A Turkish official said the majority of fleeing refugees appeared to be Syrian or Iraqi Arabs.
"A significant demographic change is taking place in the area. Arabs are being pushed away as Kurds flow in," he said.
"We are trying to obtain more information about what is happening on the ground," said Rathke. "And we have raised with the PYD [Democratic Union Party] our concerns about their human rights record, including intimidation of rival Kurdish political parties in the past. "
The PYD is the main political party in Syria and dominates its northeast. Its military wing, the YPG, is helping to push back Islamic State militants with the help of U.S. airstrikes.
"Our airstrikes have focused on the fight against ISIL and not to any other purpose," the U.S. spokesman pointed out Friday during a briefing in Washington.
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