AKP-supported Groups Burning Churches in Rojava

Fightıng between the YPG and foreign-supported Islamists continues throughout much of Rojava

Yesterday members of al-Nusra and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria are reported to have looted and burned a Syriac Church in the village of Xerdûka, in the province of Tirbespiyê. The incident occurred as the groups – both of which are supported by Turkey – were being forced out of the village by units of the YPG, according to an article in today’s Özgür Gündem. The YPG have since liberated the village, which is home to Kurds, Assyrians and Arabs. The groups were also reported to have looted houses in the village.

The fighting took place amid widespread clashes throughout Rojava. Currently YPG forces are battling al-Qaeda affiliated and foreign-backed militias throughout Rojava, with particularly heavy fighting in the vicinity of Serêkaniyê. The YPG is claiming to have killed 37 members of such groups in the last 24 hours.