Türkiye summons French envoy over ‘awarding’ of YPG members

ANKARA

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned France’s ambassador to Türkiye Herve Magro on March 27 and “strongly condemned” the French Senate for hosting the YPG and its female affiliate YPJ, diplomatic sources have said.

Ankara “does not accept” the hosting and awarding of the members of the YPG and YPJ with “medals of honor” by the French Senate, the Turkish officials told the envoy.

The officials expressed Türkiye’s expectations from the French authorities regarding the fight against terrorism, according to the sources.

Ankara expects French authorities “not to give credit to efforts that provide international legitimacy” to these groups, the officials told France’s envoy and reminded the YPG’s “attacks” against Türkiye, and Syrians and their “separatist and destabilizing activities.”

Türkiye asked French authorities for “support for the security of its borders and the Turkish people, as well as the protection of Syria’s unity and territorial integrity, and show solidarity in line with the spirit of alliance,” the sources also said.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK - listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the EU - has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is its Syrian branch.