Who is the leader of the YPG?
| Mazloum Abdi | |
|---|---|
| Service/branch | People’s Defence Forces (HPG, 2003–2011/12) Syrian Democratic Forces (2015–present) People’s Protection Units (YPG, 2011/2012–present) |
| Years of service | 2003–present |
| Rank | General Commander |
Is Raqqa safe to visit?
What is a legitimate purpose? Travelling to al-Raqqa province to visit friends or for business or religious purposes are not legitimate purposes for travel to the area. The Australian Government strongly advises against travel to Syria because of the extremely dangerous security situation.
Does the YPG still exist?
A sister militia, the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), fights alongside them. The YPG is active in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava), particularly in its Kurdish regions….
| People’s Defense Units | |
|---|---|
| Size | 135,000 (Including YPJ, 2017 estimate) |
| Part of | Syrian Democratic Forces |
What did the YPG do in Raqqa?
The YPG collaborated with FSA groups to fight ISIL in Raqqa province; the group also formed an operations room with multiple FSA factions, called Euphrates Volcano. However, the general outcome of this campaign was a massive advance by ISIL, which effectively separated the eastern part of Rojava from the main force of FSA rebels.
When did the YPG start to recruit Arabs?
Originally a wholly Kurdish force, the YPG began to recruit Arabs from at least 2012. In July 2012, the YPG had a standoff with Syrian government forces in the Kurdish city of Kobanî and the surrounding areas.
When did the YPG start fighting in Syria?
The YPG was formed in 2004 as the armed wing of the Kurdish leftist Democratic Union Party. It expanded rapidly in the Syrian Civil War and came to predominate over other armed Kurdish groups. A sister group, the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), fights alongside them.
Who are the members of the YPG militia?
The YPG mostly consists of ethnic Kurds, but also includes Arabs and foreign volunteers; it is closely allied to the Syriac Military Council, an Assyrian militia. The YPG was formed in 2011. It expanded rapidly in the Syrian Civil War and came to predominate over other armed Syrian Kurdish groups.