Foreign relations of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria

The foreign relations of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), commonly referred to as Rojava, during its existence from 2012 until its integration into the Syrian state in 2026, consisted of its relationships with foreign countries and international organizations. The DAANES, consisting of two internal regions (Euphrates and Jazira), was formed in early 2014 in the context of the Syrian Civil War, a conflict that led to the involvement of numerous countries and international organizations in the region.

The Constitution of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, which defines the autonomous region as an integral part of Syria and not a separate country, states that "the Autonomous Regions shall not interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries, and it shall safeguard its relations with neighboring states, resolving any conflicts peacefully." It also mandates, among other executive council bodies, a Body of Foreign Relations.

Relations

Relations with international civil society

The socio-political transformations of the "Rojava Revolution" have inspired much attention in international media, both in mainstream media and in dedicated progressive leftist media.

Among the early established international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) active in the autonomous region are Handicap International and DanChurchAid, while many established NGOs are deterred by the aggressive Turkish embargo policy. However, there are numerous purpose-built initiatives of international support for the DAANES and the people within its boundaries, as well as a considerable number of freelance volunteers. The international volunteers with the People's Defense Units (YPG) self-defence militia have been widely reported on, as to a lesser extent have the international volunteers with the infrastructure-building initiative.

By 2017, Turkish deterrence against international civil society engagement in the autonomous region has been breaking down. From September 2017, Médecins Sans Frontières operates the National Hospital in al-Hasakah, which had been abandoned by the Syrian government.

A number of international NGOs help to support huge number of refugees who have fled to Rojava from other parts of Syria or from Iraq, while trying to keep a low profile for the aforementioned reason.

Relations with international organisations

CJTF–OIR – The US-led coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) collaborates closely and comprehensively with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
European Union – In July 2016, the European Parliament drew much political attention with a photo exhibition dedicated to the autonomous region. In September 2016, Democratic Union Party (PYD) co-chairperson Salih Muslim was invited to address the European Parliament.
United Nations – While the administration of the autonomous region is not invited to the Geneva III peace talks on Syria, or any of the earlier talks, Russia, which calls for their inclusion, does to some degree carry their positions into the talks, as documented in Russia's May 2016 draft for a new constitution for Syria. On 6 June 2016, the PYD said that the United Nations Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura sent a detailed letter to the PYD leadership with an invitation to the next round of talks. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) co-operates refugee camps for inbound Syrian and Iraqi refugees in the autonomous region, most notably the camp in Al-Hawl.

Relations with UN member states

Albania – Albania is one of the main sources of weapons flowing to the People's Defense Units (YPG) in the autonomous region through the US-led coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
Belgium – In September 2016, the 8th conference of the autonomous region's leading Democratic Union Party (PYD) was held in Brussels. 500 PYD members, including its leaders, and many others (including Abdul Rahman Haji Ahmadi) attended.
Czech Republic – The YPG opened an official representation office in Prague in April 2016. The relationship with the YPG in particular has been described as "amicable", and "Czech Defense Ministry and other officials are said to regularly hobnob with YPG cadres." The Czech Republic is one of the main sources of weapons flowing to the YPG through the US-led coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The office was shut down in December 2016. Salih Muslim, then foreign relations official of the Movement for a Democratic Society (TEV-DEM) coalition, was briefly detained at Turkey's request on 25 February 2018 in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, but was released two days later, drawing angry protests from Turkey. On 17 March 2018, the Czech authorities dismissed Turkey's request.
Finland – According to Suomen Kuvalehti magazine, Finland is planning on giving the autonomous region support for developing government and rebuilding infrastructure. In 2022, in negotiations with Turkey over Sweden and Finland's bid to join NATO, Finland pledged to not provide support to the Kurdistan Workers' Party(PKK), People's Protection Units(YPG) or to the Democratic Union Party(PYD) along with pledges to lift the arms embargo they had placed on Turkey over their incursion in Northern Syria, and to co-operate with Turkey in the extradition of Kurdish refugees suspected to have links to the PKK, PYD and YPG.
France – In May 2016, the administration of the autonomous region opened a representation office in Paris. In February 2015, President Francois Hollande met with the PYD co-leader Asya Abdullah and the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) commander Nesrin Abdullah in the Élysée Palace. French Special Operations Command Forces are supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces in operations. In August 2016, a French delegation and the People's Municipality Board in the autonomous region signed a contract to open a center in the Kurdish and French languages in order to bring the cultures of the autonomous region and France together, and the opening of a branch of the Paris 8 University in the autonomous region was also discussed. In May 2017, Hollande received the co-chairman of the PYD, Salih Muslim, for talks on the Syria situation. On 29 March 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to send troops to Syria's Manbij in a bid to assist local Syrian Democratic Forces militias in preventing Turkish forces from advancing on the town.

Germany – In May 2016, the administration of the autonomous region opened a representation office in Berlin. In August 2016, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned Turkish attacks against the Syrian Democratic Forces and pointed out that Turkey has to join the war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), "not to fight Syrian Kurds".
Greece – The co-chairman of the PYD, Salih Muslim, has been an official guest of Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras' governing Syriza party at their congress in October 2016. In February 2016, Muslim attended the Öcalan Conference in Athens.
Iraq – Iraqi Kurdistan – The autonomous region shares much culturally with Iraqi Kurdistan, an autonomous region of Iraq, but has many political differences. There has been military cooperation with Iraqi Kurdistan and the United States in the conflict against ISIL, although neither gives official support for the autonomous region or the YPG. The Kurdistan Regional Government, which the Kurdistan Democratic Party runs, is an ally of Turkey and has co-operated to enforce a unilateral economic blockade against Rojava which has damaged and limited the autonomous region's economy. The "Sultanistic system" of Iraqi Kurdistan stands in stark contrast to the democratic confederalist system of the autonomous region.
Myanmar – Ethnic rebel groups – In November 2023 the general command of YPG and YPJ issued a letter of support to "all honorable Myanmar revolutionaries" in their fight against the "fascist military junta". The message emphasized shared ideals of democracy, women’s liberation, and self-defense.
Israel – In March 2025, following the 2024 Syrian opposition offensives and the fall of the Assad regime, Syrian Democratic Forces leader Mazloum Abdi publicly expressed openness towards Israeli support in guaranteeing Kurdish security interests.
Italy – In June 2015, YPJ commander Nesrin Abdullah was invited to speak in the Italian parliament. In July 2016, the co-chairperson of the PYD, Asya Abdullah, held talks with a number of senior government officials in Rome.
Japan – In April 2017, a delegation from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria made a 6-day visit to Tokyo. The delegation includes co-chairman of Constituent Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria Hediya Yousef, the spokeswoman of Kongreya Star Avin Siwed, head of the Kurdish National Alliance in Syria Mustafa Mashayikh, and member of Kurdish National Congress's Executive Council Rafiq Jaifar.
Netherlands – In September 2016, the administration of the autonomous region opened a representation office in The Hague.
Norway – In November 2016, the city of Oslo in its City Hall hosted a "New World Embassy" event dedicated to the autonomous region, "After Belonging", bringing representatives from the autonomous region together with international politicians, diplomats, academics, journalists, students, artists, and more.
Russia – In February 2016, the administration of the autonomous region opened a representation office in Moscow amid growing ties between Russia and the autonomous region. Russia has lent support to the autonomous region in the diplomatic arena, in particular more clearly than any other country calling for its inclusion in the Geneva III peace talks on Syria, and to some degree carrying their positions into the talks, as documented in Russia's May 2016 draft for a new constitution for Syria. In the course of 2017, representatives of the YPG appeared with representatives of the Russian military on Russian military bases in Syria, sporting the flags of both Russia and the YPG. As of late 2017, a delegation of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has been invited to attend the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi in February 2018.
Spain – Catalonia – In July 2014 the PYD co-chair Salih Muslim was invited by the Catalan Parliament in Barcelona to explain the democratic process in the autonomous region. He met with the president of the Parliament, Núria de Gispert, and representatives of four major Catalan parties.
Sweden – In April 2016, the administration of the autonomous region opened a representation office in Stockholm. In 2022, in negotiations with Turkey over Sweden and Finland's bid to join NATO, Sweden pledged to not provide support to the Kurdistan Workers' Party(PKK), People's Protection Units(YPG) or to the Democratic Union Party(PYD) along with pledges to lift the arms embargo they had placed on Turkey over their incursion in Northern Syria, and to co-operate with Turkey in the extradition of Kurdish refugees suspected to have links to the PKK, PYD and YPG.

Turkey – Neighbouring Turkey has received PYD co-chair Salih Muslim for talks in 2013 and in 2014, even entertaining the idea of opening a representation office for the autonomous region in Ankara "if it's suitable with Ankara's policies." Nonwithstanding, Turkey is persistently hostile, because it feels threatened by the autonomous region's emergence encouraging activism for autonomy among Kurds in Turkey and the Kurdish–Turkish conflict, and in this context in particular the autonomous region's leading Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the YPG militia being members of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) network of organisations, which also includes both political and militant assertively Kurdish organizations in Turkey itself, including the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkey's policy towards the autonomous region is based on an economic blockade, persistent attempts of international isolation, opposition to the cooperation of the international Anti-ISIL-coalition with the militias of the autonomous region, and support of Islamist Syrian Civil War parties hostile towards the autonomous region, in past times even including ISIL. Turkey has on several occasions also been militarily attacking the territory of the autonomous region and defence forces. The latter has resulted in some of the most clearcut instances of international solidarity with the autonomous region. In the perception of much of the Turkish public, the federal project of the autonomous region as well as U.S. support for the YPG against ISIL are elements of a wider conspiracy scheme by a "mastermind" with the aim to weaken or even dismember Turkey, in order to prevent its imminent rise as a global power. Kurdish opposition party leader Selahattin Demirtaş has argued for Turkey and other countries to recognize the autonomous region and work with it as a partner.
United Kingdom – In January 2015, a British Parliament committee asked the government of Prime Minister David Cameron to explain and justify its policy of not working with the autonomous region's military in combating ISIL. In July 2015, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office formally declared that "the UK has engaged with Saleh Muslim, co-leader of the Democratic Union Party (PYD)". Since then, United Kingdom Special Forces are supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces in operations. Democratic Union Party (PYD) co-chairperson Salih Muslim was invited to speak in the British Parliament Parliament in 2015 and in 2016.

United States – The U.S. Department of State announced limited support for the PYD in February 2016, although it opposes the unilateral establishment of a federal region in northern Syria. In March 2016, the day after the declaration of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter praised the YPG militia as having "proven to be excellent partners of ours on the ground in fighting ISIL. We are grateful for that, and we intend to continue to do that, recognizing the complexities of their regional role." The USA have usually supported the YPG militia in its fight against ISIL, both with air support in combat and with embedded US Special Forces. During the Northern Raqqa offensive (May 2016), US Special Operation Forces were widely reported and photographed taking part, wearing YPG and YPJ badges on their uniforms. When in June 2016 the Manbij offensive started, the Washington Post reported it under the headline of "Ignoring Turkey, U.S. backs Kurds in drive against ISIS in Syria". On 7 November 2016, when asked about the federalization of Syria, Mark C. Toner, the Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, said "We don't want to see any kind of ad hoc federalism or federalist system arise. We don't want to see semi-autonomous zones. The reality is, though, as territory is liberated from Daesh, you got to get some kind of governance back into these areas, but by no means are we condoning or – any kind of, as I said, ad hoc semi-autonomous areas in northern Syria". According to lieutenant general Stephen J. Townsend of the United States Army in an interview on 29 March 2017, the US does not recognize the autonomous region as a "Kurdish state" but instead sees it as a "multi-cultural, multi-party, multi-ethnic, multi-sectarian Syrian region being liberated from ISIS." Effective 31 January 2018, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) is registered in the US as a "foreign political party" under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Foreign relations of administrative divisions

Jazira Region

In August 2016, the newly founded University of Rojava in Qamishli, established by the Jazira Region Board of Education, concluded an agreement with Paris 8 University in France for cooperation.

In 2016, talks about the establishment of a French cultural centre in the town of Amuda began.

Euphrates Region

In April 2015, the municipality of Rome, capital of Italy, recognised the municipality of Kobani as a sister city.

In September 2016, the Kurdish Red Crescent opened a hospital in Kobanî, their first hospital in the Euphrates Region. Many international organizations had given a helping hand as well as sending them special medical equipment, UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders in particular.

Afrin Region

YPG spokesman Redur Xelil stated on 20 March 2017 that Russia will train Kurdish fighters under an agreement in which it will also set up a military base near Afrin. Russian troops and armored vehicles were reported to have been spotted around Afrin. Russia however denied any such deal was made, stating it had no plans to create additional military bases in Syria and adding that only a section of its reconciliation centre was located in Aleppo Governorate near Afrin for the prevention of ceasefire violations.

References

↑ Constitution of the Rojava Cantons . 2014 – via Wikisource.
↑ "A Dream of Secular Utopia in ISIS' Backyard". The New York Times. 2015-11-24. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
↑ "Power to the people: a Syrian experiment in democracy". Financial Times. 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
↑ "The Kurds' Democratic Experiment". The New York Times. 2015-09-30. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
↑ "Why is the world ignoring the revolutionary Kurds in Syria?". The Guardian. 2014-10-08. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
↑ "Regaining hope in Rojava". openDemocracy. 2016-06-06. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
↑ "American Leftists Need to Pay More Attention to Rojava". Slate. 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
↑ "The Revolution in Rojava". Dissent (American magazine). University of Pennsylvania Press. 2015-04-22. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
↑ "The Rojava revolution". openDemocracy. 2015-03-15. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
↑ "Statement from the Academic Delegation to Rojava". New Compass. 2015-01-15. Archived from the original on 2019-06-30. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
↑ "Handicap International finds Kobanê a city of unexploded weapons". HelpKobane. 2015-05-28. Archived from the original on 2016-11-13. Retrieved 2016-06-22.
↑ "DanChurchAid started removing remnants of unexploded ammunition". HelpKobane. 2015-05-07. Archived from the original on 2016-11-13. Retrieved 2016-06-22.
↑ "US and British volunteers describe fighting with Kurds in Syria". Middle East Eye. 2015-07-29. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
↑ "Syrian Kurds erect monument in memory of foreign fighters fallen in war against ISIS". ARA News. 2016-06-17. Archived from the original on June 20, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
↑ "Western volunteers set up Medical Unit in the autonomous region to help Syrian Kurds in war on ISIS". ARA News. 2016-04-30. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
↑ "Syrian Kurdish region witnessing campaign of 'Organic Agriculture in Rojava'". ARA News. 2016-07-10. Archived from the original on May 21, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
↑ "The National Hospital in al-Hasaka is back to service after being sponsored by MSF". welat.fm. 2017-09-10.
↑ "Syrian Kurds provide safe haven for thousands of Iraqis fleeing ISIS". ARA News. 2016-07-10. Archived from the original on July 4, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
↑ "US sending arms to Kurdish-led SDF in Syria, Turkey's Erdogan outraged". ARA News. 25 September 2016. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
↑ "US general: Syrian Democratic Forces will lead the assault on Raqqa". Stars and Stripes. 26 October 2016.
↑ "Photo exhibition on Rojava in the European Parliament". Firat News Agency. 2016-07-12. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
↑ "Austrian academic to Turkish govt: Rojava exhibit at EU Parliament is not PYD propaganda tool". ARA News. 2016-07-13. Archived from the original on July 18, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
↑ "PYD leader to European Parliament: Turkey still supporting ISIS". ARA News. 3 September 2016. Archived from the original on September 3, 2016.
↑ "Syrian Kurds point finger at Western-backed opposition". Reuters. 2016-05-23. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
1 2 "Russia finishes draft for new Syria constitution". Now.MMedia/Al-Akhbar. 2016-05-24. Archived from the original on 2016-08-07. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
↑ "Syrian Kurdish PYD to participate in Geneva talks". Kurdistan 24. 2016-06-06. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
↑ "Thousands of Iraqis fleeing Mosul 'cross into Syria'". Al Jazeera. 18 October 2016.
1 2 3 "News of arrests of YPG-linked Czechs shocks Turkey". Al-Monitor. 17 November 2016.
↑ "The 8th conference of PYD held in Europe". Hawar News Agency. 24 September 2016. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
↑ "Kurdish militia YPG opens office in Prague". Prague Daily Monitor. 2016-04-04. Archived from the original on 2018-10-19. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
↑ "Syrian Kurdish forces to inaugurate first representation office in Czech Republic". ARA News. 31 March 2016. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016.
↑ Medin, Joakim (2016-12-14). "Kurdish YPG office in Prague shut down". ARA News. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
↑ "Czechs release Syrian Kurdish leader, won't extradite to Turkey". Al Monitor. 27 February 2018.
↑ "Czech's drop Salih Müslim extradition case". Ahval News. 18 March 2018.
↑ Pesonen, Hannu (29 April 2015). "Tätä naista Isis vihaa kuin ruttoa - Suomenkuvalehti.fi". Suomen Kuvalehti (in Finnish).
1 2 "Turkey lifts objections to Finland and Sweden's Nato bid". the Guardian. 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
1 2 "NATO: Finland and Sweden poised to join NATO after Turkey drops objection". Sky News. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
1 2 "Turkey observed positive approach to lifting arms embargo from Finland, Sweden -Erdogan spokesman". Reuters. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
↑ "Syrian Kurds open unofficial representative mission in Paris". Al Arabiya. 2016-05-24. Retrieved 2016-05-22.
↑ "Hollande-PYD meeting challenges Erdogan". Al-Monitor. 12 February 2015.
↑ "France admits special forces are advising Syrian rebels". Radio France Internationale. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
↑ "French delegation seeks to open cultural center in Rojava". NRT News. 2016-08-09. Archived from the original on 2017-07-28. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
↑ "PYD leader Salih Muslim meets French President at Elysee Palace". NRT News. 10 May 2017. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
↑ "Syrie : Emmanuel Macron annonce l'envoi de soldats au secours des Kurdes" (in French). Le Parisien. 29 March 2018.
↑ "Berlin'de Rojava temsilciliği açıldı" (in Turkish). Evrensel. 7 May 2016.
↑ "Rojava-Vertretung in Deutschland" (in German). Junge Welt. 9 May 2016.
1 2 "Germany warns Turkey from attacking Kurds in Syria". Iraqi News. 28 August 2016.
↑ "Kurdish leaders @hdpdemirtas and @serokepyd are at @syriza_gr congress with @atsipras". Twitter. 2016-10-13. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
↑ "Syrian Kurdish PYD, Turkey's HDP leaders attend 'Ocalan conference' in Athens". eKurd. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
↑ "Kurdistan's Politicized Society Confronts a Sultanistic System". Carnegie Middle East Center. 2015-08-18. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
↑ "General Command of YPG, YPJ confirms its support for Myanmar revolution". ANHA. 10 November 2023.
↑ "SDF leader says Syria's Kurdish militias would welcome support from Israel". Middle East Monitor. March 7, 2025.
↑ "Kurdish SDF chief says he's open to support from Israel in Syria". Jerusalem Post. March 6, 2025.
↑ "YPJ Commander Nesrin Abdullah speaks in Italian Parliament". JINHA. 2015-06-23. Archived from the original on 2018-09-06. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
↑ "Asya Abdulla meets senior officials in Rome". Hawar News Agency. 2016-07-04. Archived from the original on 2016-07-09. Retrieved 2016-07-09.
↑ "Şandeyek ji Rojava li Japonya ye". ANHA. 26 April 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
↑ "会見者のご案内" (PDF). 日本クルド友好協会. 27 April 2017.
↑ "Syrian Kurds inaugurate representation office in the Netherlands". ARA News. 2016-09-08. Archived from the original on September 8, 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
↑ "After Belonging. New World Embassy: Rojava". Oslo Architecture Triennale 2016s. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
↑ "Syrian Kurdish PYD opens office in Moscow". Today's Zaman. 10 February 2016. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
1 2 "Syrian Kurds move closer to Russia". Al Monitor. 7 December 2017.
↑ "Salih Muslim speaks in Catalonia: Europe is breeding jihadists". Dicle News Agency. 30 July 2014. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
↑ "Turquia utilitza l'Estat Islàmic contra els kurds". El Periódico de Catalunya. 29 July 2014.
↑ "Syrian Kurds inaugurate representation office in Sweden". ARA News. 2016-04-18. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved 2017-03-02.
↑ "PYD leader arrives in Turkey for two-day talks: Report". Hürriyet Daily News. 25 July 2013.
↑ "Syrian Kurdish leader holds secret talks in Turkey: reports". Yahoo! News. 5 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
↑ "Salih Muslim's trip to Turkey and Incirlik Base". Yeni Şafak. 7 July 2015. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
↑ Meredith Tax (14 October 2016). "The Rojava Model". Council on Foreign Relations.
↑ "Speech by H.E. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey at the Meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers of the 13th Islamic Summit of the OIC, 12 April 2016, İstanbul". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey). Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
↑ "Turkish President Erdoğan slams US over YPG support". Hürriyet Daily News. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
↑ "How Can Turkey Overcome Its Foreign Policy Mess?". Lobolog (Graham E. Fuller). 2016-02-19. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
↑ Wladimir van Wilgenburg (12 June 2015). "The Rise of Jaysh al-Fateh in Northern Syria". Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
↑ David L. Phillips (11 September 2014). "Research Paper: ISIS-Turkey Links". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
↑ "Senior Western official: Links between Turkey and ISIS are now 'undeniable'". Business Insider. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
↑ Burak Bekdil (Summer 2015). "Turkey's Double Game with ISIS". Middle East Forum. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
↑ "Turkey accused of shelling Kurdish-held village in Syria". The Guardian. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
↑ "Turkey strikes Kurdish city of Afrin northern Syria, civilian casualties reported". ARA News. 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
↑ Christopher Phillips (22 September 2016). "Turkey's Syria Intervention: A Sign of Weakness Not Strength". Newsweek. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
↑ Fehim Taştekin (9 September 2016). "US backing ensures Arab-Kurd alliance in Syria will survive". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
↑ U.S. Senator John McCain, Chairman of the United States Senate Armed Services Committee (27 October 2016). "Statement by SASC Chairman John McCain on Turkish Government Attacks on Syrian Kurds". Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
↑ "The Tin-Foil Hats Are Out in Turkey. From Zionist plots to CIA conspiracies, Turkey's favorite pastime is believing that the world is out to get it". Foreign Policy. 12 September 2016.
↑ "HDP leader says Ankara has 'neither the power nor means' to eliminate Kurdish movement". Al-Monitor. 2016-01-04. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
↑ "The U.S. should accept a Syrian Kurdish region, says Turkish opposition leader". The Washington Post. 2016-05-02. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
↑ "Build Kurdistan relationship or risk losing vital Middle East partner". www.parliament.uk. Parliament of the United Kingdom. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
↑ "Syria:Written question - HL846". Foreign and Commonwealth Office. 3 July 2015.
↑ "Syria conflict: On the frontline in battle for IS-held Manbij". BBC. 15 June 2016.
↑ "PYD co-president Muslim to speak at UK Parliament". Firat News Agency. 12 March 2015.
↑ "Salih Muslim will hold a press statement on Turkey's arrest warrant at UK parliament". Aylina Kılıç on Twitter. 22 November 2015.
↑ "US Department of State". US Department of State. 8 February 2016.
↑ "Syria conflict: Kurds declare federal system". BBC. 17 March 2016.
↑ "Pentagon chief praises Kurdish fighters in Syria". Hürriyet Daily News. 2016-03-18. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
↑ "U.S. Troops 18 Miles from ISIS Capital". The Daily Beast. 2016-05-27. Retrieved 2016-05-27.
↑ "Ignoring Turkey, U.S. backs Kurds in drive against ISIS in Syria". The Washington Post. 2016-06-01. Retrieved 2016-06-03.
↑ "Mark C. Toner, Deputy Spokesperson. Daily Press Briefing. Washington, DC. November 7, 2016". United States Department of State. 2016-11-07. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
↑ "US Gen. Townsend rebuffs Turkish reporter with 'political agenda' against SDF". Kom News. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
↑ "Syrian Kurds apply to set up mission in Washington". Hurriyet Daily News. 2018-04-20.
↑ "Rojava university seeks to eliminate constraints on education in Syria's Kurdish region". ARA News. 2016-08-15. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
↑ "L'écrivain Patrice Franceschi veut créer un centre culturel au Kurdistan syrien". Le Journal du Dimanche. 27 March 2016.
↑ "Kurds plan to set up French institute in Syria". ARA News. 8 September 2016. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016.
↑ "Rome Declares Kobane 'Sister City'". Kurdishquestion. 2015-04-05. Retrieved 2016-08-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
↑ "KRC opens the first hospital in Kobani". Hawar News Agency. 2016-09-24. Archived from the original on 2018-03-03. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
↑ "Russia to train Kurdish forces at north Syria base". The New Arab. 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
↑ "Russia strikes deal with Syrian Kurds to set up base". Al-Jazeera. 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2017-03-20.

[1] Constitution of the Rojava Cantons . 2014 – via Wikisource.

[2] "A Dream of Secular Utopia in ISIS' Backyard". The New York Times. 2015-11-24. Retrieved 2016-05-20.

[3] "Power to the people: a Syrian experiment in democracy". Financial Times. 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2016-06-06.

[4] "The Kurds' Democratic Experiment". The New York Times. 2015-09-30. Retrieved 2016-05-20.

[5] "Why is the world ignoring the revolutionary Kurds in Syria?". The Guardian. 2014-10-08. Retrieved 2016-05-20.

[6] "Regaining hope in Rojava". openDemocracy. 2016-06-06. Retrieved 2016-06-09.

[7] "American Leftists Need to Pay More Attention to Rojava". Slate. 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2016-05-20.

[8] "The Revolution in Rojava". Dissent (American magazine). University of Pennsylvania Press. 2015-04-22. Retrieved 2016-05-20.

[9] "The Rojava revolution". openDemocracy. 2015-03-15. Retrieved 2016-05-20.

[10] "Statement from the Academic Delegation to Rojava". New Compass. 2015-01-15. Archived from the original on 2019-06-30. Retrieved 2016-05-20.

[11] "Handicap International finds Kobanê a city of unexploded weapons". HelpKobane. 2015-05-28. Archived from the original on 2016-11-13. Retrieved 2016-06-22.

[12] "DanChurchAid started removing remnants of unexploded ammunition". HelpKobane. 2015-05-07. Archived from the original on 2016-11-13. Retrieved 2016-06-22.

[13] "US and British volunteers describe fighting with Kurds in Syria". Middle East Eye. 2015-07-29. Retrieved 2016-07-10.

[14] "Syrian Kurds erect monument in memory of foreign fighters fallen in war against ISIS". ARA News. 2016-06-17. Archived from the original on June 20, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-10.

[15] "Western volunteers set up Medical Unit in the autonomous region to help Syrian Kurds in war on ISIS". ARA News. 2016-04-30. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-10.

[16] "Syrian Kurdish region witnessing campaign of 'Organic Agriculture in Rojava'". ARA News. 2016-07-10. Archived from the original on May 21, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-16.

[17] "The National Hospital in al-Hasaka is back to service after being sponsored by MSF". welat.fm. 2017-09-10.

[18] "Syrian Kurds provide safe haven for thousands of Iraqis fleeing ISIS". ARA News. 2016-07-10. Archived from the original on July 4, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-02.

[19] "US sending arms to Kurdish-led SDF in Syria, Turkey's Erdogan outraged". ARA News. 25 September 2016. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.

[20] "US general: Syrian Democratic Forces will lead the assault on Raqqa". Stars and Stripes. 26 October 2016.

[21] "Photo exhibition on Rojava in the European Parliament". Firat News Agency. 2016-07-12. Retrieved 2016-07-14.

[22] "Austrian academic to Turkish govt: Rojava exhibit at EU Parliament is not PYD propaganda tool". ARA News. 2016-07-13. Archived from the original on July 18, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-14.

[23] "PYD leader to European Parliament: Turkey still supporting ISIS". ARA News. 3 September 2016. Archived from the original on September 3, 2016.

[24] "Syrian Kurds point finger at Western-backed opposition". Reuters. 2016-05-23. Retrieved 2016-05-24.

[Now.MMedia/Al-Akhbar-25] 1 2 "Russia finishes draft for new Syria constitution". Now.MMedia/Al-Akhbar. 2016-05-24. Archived from the original on 2016-08-07. Retrieved 2016-05-24.

[26] "Syrian Kurdish PYD to participate in Geneva talks". Kurdistan 24. 2016-06-06. Retrieved 2016-06-06.

[27] "Thousands of Iraqis fleeing Mosul 'cross into Syria'". Al Jazeera. 18 October 2016.

[hobnob-28] 1 2 3 "News of arrests of YPG-linked Czechs shocks Turkey". Al-Monitor. 17 November 2016.

[29] "The 8th conference of PYD held in Europe". Hawar News Agency. 24 September 2016. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2016.

[30] "Kurdish militia YPG opens office in Prague". Prague Daily Monitor. 2016-04-04. Archived from the original on 2018-10-19. Retrieved 2017-03-02.

[31] "Syrian Kurdish forces to inaugurate first representation office in Czech Republic". ARA News. 31 March 2016. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016.

[32] Medin, Joakim (2016-12-14). "Kurdish YPG office in Prague shut down". ARA News. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016. Retrieved 2017-03-02.

[33] "Czechs release Syrian Kurdish leader, won't extradite to Turkey". Al Monitor. 27 February 2018.

[34] "Czech's drop Salih Müslim extradition case". Ahval News. 18 March 2018.

[35] Pesonen, Hannu (29 April 2015). "Tätä naista Isis vihaa kuin ruttoa - Suomenkuvalehti.fi". Suomen Kuvalehti (in Finnish).

[:0-36] 1 2 "Turkey lifts objections to Finland and Sweden's Nato bid". the Guardian. 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2022-06-29.

[:1-37] 1 2 "NATO: Finland and Sweden poised to join NATO after Turkey drops objection". Sky News. Retrieved 2022-06-29.

[:2-38] 1 2 "Turkey observed positive approach to lifting arms embargo from Finland, Sweden -Erdogan spokesman". Reuters. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2022-06-29.

[39] "Syrian Kurds open unofficial representative mission in Paris". Al Arabiya. 2016-05-24. Retrieved 2016-05-22.

[40] "Hollande-PYD meeting challenges Erdogan". Al-Monitor. 12 February 2015.

[41] "France admits special forces are advising Syrian rebels". Radio France Internationale. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.

[42] "French delegation seeks to open cultural center in Rojava". NRT News. 2016-08-09. Archived from the original on 2017-07-28. Retrieved 2016-08-09.

[43] "PYD leader Salih Muslim meets French President at Elysee Palace". NRT News. 10 May 2017. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2017.

[44] "Syrie : Emmanuel Macron annonce l'envoi de soldats au secours des Kurdes" (in French). Le Parisien. 29 March 2018.

[45] "Berlin'de Rojava temsilciliği açıldı" (in Turkish). Evrensel. 7 May 2016.

[46] "Rojava-Vertretung in Deutschland" (in German). Junge Welt. 9 May 2016.

[Iraqi_News-47] 1 2 "Germany warns Turkey from attacking Kurds in Syria". Iraqi News. 28 August 2016.

[48] "Kurdish leaders @hdpdemirtas and @serokepyd are at @syriza_gr congress with @atsipras". Twitter. 2016-10-13. Retrieved 2016-10-13.

[49] "Syrian Kurdish PYD, Turkey's HDP leaders attend 'Ocalan conference' in Athens". eKurd. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 2016-10-13.

[50] "Kurdistan's Politicized Society Confronts a Sultanistic System". Carnegie Middle East Center. 2015-08-18. Retrieved 2016-06-08.

[51] "General Command of YPG, YPJ confirms its support for Myanmar revolution". ANHA. 10 November 2023.

[52] "SDF leader says Syria's Kurdish militias would welcome support from Israel". Middle East Monitor. March 7, 2025.

[53] "Kurdish SDF chief says he's open to support from Israel in Syria". Jerusalem Post. March 6, 2025.

[54] "YPJ Commander Nesrin Abdullah speaks in Italian Parliament". JINHA. 2015-06-23. Archived from the original on 2018-09-06. Retrieved 2016-06-09.

[55] "Asya Abdulla meets senior officials in Rome". Hawar News Agency. 2016-07-04. Archived from the original on 2016-07-09. Retrieved 2016-07-09.

[anha-56] "Şandeyek ji Rojava li Japonya ye". ANHA. 26 April 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2017.

[日本クルド友好協会-57] "会見者のご案内" (PDF). 日本クルド友好協会. 27 April 2017.

[58] "Syrian Kurds inaugurate representation office in the Netherlands". ARA News. 2016-09-08. Archived from the original on September 8, 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-08.

[59] "After Belonging. New World Embassy: Rojava". Oslo Architecture Triennale 2016s. Retrieved 2016-11-25.

[60] "Syrian Kurdish PYD opens office in Moscow". Today's Zaman. 10 February 2016. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.

[russia-61] 1 2 "Syrian Kurds move closer to Russia". Al Monitor. 7 December 2017.

[62] "Salih Muslim speaks in Catalonia: Europe is breeding jihadists". Dicle News Agency. 30 July 2014. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2016.

[63] "Turquia utilitza l'Estat Islàmic contra els kurds". El Periódico de Catalunya. 29 July 2014.

[64] "Syrian Kurds inaugurate representation office in Sweden". ARA News. 2016-04-18. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved 2017-03-02.

[65] "PYD leader arrives in Turkey for two-day talks: Report". Hürriyet Daily News. 25 July 2013.

[66] "Syrian Kurdish leader holds secret talks in Turkey: reports". Yahoo! News. 5 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2016.

[67] "Salih Muslim's trip to Turkey and Incirlik Base". Yeni Şafak. 7 July 2015. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2016.

[68] Meredith Tax (14 October 2016). "The Rojava Model". Council on Foreign Relations.

[OIC-69] "Speech by H.E. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey at the Meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers of the 13th Islamic Summit of the OIC, 12 April 2016, İstanbul". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey). Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2016.

[70] "Turkish President Erdoğan slams US over YPG support". Hürriyet Daily News. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-02.

[71] "How Can Turkey Overcome Its Foreign Policy Mess?". Lobolog (Graham E. Fuller). 2016-02-19. Retrieved 2016-10-28.

[72] Wladimir van Wilgenburg (12 June 2015). "The Rise of Jaysh al-Fateh in Northern Syria". Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 2016-10-28.

[73] David L. Phillips (11 September 2014). "Research Paper: ISIS-Turkey Links". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-10-28.

[74] "Senior Western official: Links between Turkey and ISIS are now 'undeniable'". Business Insider. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 2016-10-28.

[75] Burak Bekdil (Summer 2015). "Turkey's Double Game with ISIS". Middle East Forum. Retrieved 2016-10-28.

[76] "Turkey accused of shelling Kurdish-held village in Syria". The Guardian. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 2016-06-09.

[77] "Turkey strikes Kurdish city of Afrin northern Syria, civilian casualties reported". ARA News. 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 2016-06-09.

[78] Christopher Phillips (22 September 2016). "Turkey's Syria Intervention: A Sign of Weakness Not Strength". Newsweek. Retrieved 2016-10-28.

[Tastekin-79] Fehim Taştekin (9 September 2016). "US backing ensures Arab-Kurd alliance in Syria will survive". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2016-10-28.

[80] U.S. Senator John McCain, Chairman of the United States Senate Armed Services Committee (27 October 2016). "Statement by SASC Chairman John McCain on Turkish Government Attacks on Syrian Kurds". Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2016.

[81] "The Tin-Foil Hats Are Out in Turkey. From Zionist plots to CIA conspiracies, Turkey's favorite pastime is believing that the world is out to get it". Foreign Policy. 12 September 2016.

[82] "HDP leader says Ankara has 'neither the power nor means' to eliminate Kurdish movement". Al-Monitor. 2016-01-04. Retrieved 2016-06-13.

[83] "The U.S. should accept a Syrian Kurdish region, says Turkish opposition leader". The Washington Post. 2016-05-02. Retrieved 2016-06-13.

[84] "Build Kurdistan relationship or risk losing vital Middle East partner". www.parliament.uk. Parliament of the United Kingdom. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.

[85] "Syria:Written question - HL846". Foreign and Commonwealth Office. 3 July 2015.

[86] "Syria conflict: On the frontline in battle for IS-held Manbij". BBC. 15 June 2016.

[87] "PYD co-president Muslim to speak at UK Parliament". Firat News Agency. 12 March 2015.

[88] "Salih Muslim will hold a press statement on Turkey's arrest warrant at UK parliament". Aylina Kılıç on Twitter. 22 November 2015.

[89] "US Department of State". US Department of State. 8 February 2016.

[system-90] "Syria conflict: Kurds declare federal system". BBC. 17 March 2016.

[91] "Pentagon chief praises Kurdish fighters in Syria". Hürriyet Daily News. 2016-03-18. Retrieved 2016-06-13.

[92] "U.S. Troops 18 Miles from ISIS Capital". The Daily Beast. 2016-05-27. Retrieved 2016-05-27.

[93] "Ignoring Turkey, U.S. backs Kurds in drive against ISIS in Syria". The Washington Post. 2016-06-01. Retrieved 2016-06-03.

[94] "Mark C. Toner, Deputy Spokesperson. Daily Press Briefing. Washington, DC. November 7, 2016". United States Department of State. 2016-11-07. Retrieved 2016-11-07.

[95] "US Gen. Townsend rebuffs Turkish reporter with 'political agenda' against SDF". Kom News. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2017.

[96] "Syrian Kurds apply to set up mission in Washington". Hurriyet Daily News. 2018-04-20.

[97] "Rojava university seeks to eliminate constraints on education in Syria's Kurdish region". ARA News. 2016-08-15. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-15.

[98] "L'écrivain Patrice Franceschi veut créer un centre culturel au Kurdistan syrien". Le Journal du Dimanche. 27 March 2016.

[99] "Kurds plan to set up French institute in Syria". ARA News. 8 September 2016. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016.

[100] "Rome Declares Kobane 'Sister City'". Kurdishquestion. 2015-04-05. Retrieved 2016-08-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[101] "KRC opens the first hospital in Kobani". Hawar News Agency. 2016-09-24. Archived from the original on 2018-03-03. Retrieved 2016-09-24.

[102] "Russia to train Kurdish forces at north Syria base". The New Arab. 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2017-03-20.

[103] "Russia strikes deal with Syrian Kurds to set up base". Al-Jazeera. 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2017-03-20.