No: 147, 9 July 2020, Press Relase Regarding the Meeting of Mrs. Ann Linde, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, with the Members of PKK/PYD/YPG Terrorist Organization

Mrs. Ann Linde, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, announced today (July 9th, 2020) via social media that she had met with members of PKK/PYD/YPG terrorist organization. In fact, this is not the first contact of Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs with the members of the terrorist organization. She has previously met with the members of the terrorist organization and participated in the activities organized by persons affiliated with the terrorist organization. Minister Linde’s attitude, in respect of her position, raises serious questions about Sweden's stance as regards the fight against terrorism.

The fact that there are members of the armed wing of the terrorist organization among those that she met intensifies the gravity of the situation. Minister Linde’s claim that she discussed Turkey’s counterterrorism operations in Syria with a terrorist is an exemplary case on its own. It is disgraceful that the so-called defenders of human rights, who turn out to be instrumental in the black propaganda of the terrorist organization, ignore these terrorists’ massacres in Syria, situation of civilians exiled and children forcibly recruited by the terrorists, as well as their atrocities against local populations including Kurds who do not embrace their separatist policies.

World Council of Arameans announced just today that PKK/YPG is releasing DEASH militants held in the camps in Northeast Syria in exchange for money, thereby intentionally keeping the DEASH threat

alive and jeopardizing security and stability of the region.

On this occasion, we emphasize once again the importance of making no distinction among terrorist organizations in countering terrorism and remind that fighting against all forms of terrorism is a common responsibility of the international community.