US-backed Kurdish forces accused of war crimes in Syria

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/10/us-backed-kurdish-forces-accused-of-war-crimes-iin-syria/



Kurdish forces battling Islamic State jihadists near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and the Syrian border town of Kobane have been bolstered in recent months by US-led air strikes

US-backed Kurdish forces accused of war crimes in Syria
International Business Times
13 Oct 2015 at 08:48 ET

Members of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), who are among the most significant partners of the United States in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria, illegally seized and demolished homes and properties in areas under their control, leading to a “wave of forced displacement,” Amnesty International said, in a report Monday.

The rights group accused the People’s Protection Units (YPG) -- the military arm of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration in northern Syria -- of using the pretext of their battle against ISIS to target the local Arab population. The PYD has been in control of the Autonomous Administration in Hassakeh and Raqqa provinces since January 2014.

The YPG, which is considered a terrorist organization in Turkey -- a key regional U.S. ally -- is also part of a new anti-ISIS alliance of Arab and Kurdish groups that was announced Monday.

Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) fighters take up positions inside a damaged building in al-Vilat al-Homor neighborhood in Hasaka city, as they monitor the movements of Islamic State fighters who are stationed in Ghwayran neighborhood in Hasaka city, Syria July 22, 2015. Reuters/Rodi Said