PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Syria: Military Aid (30 June 2015)

The al-Sanadid army, based in Hasakeh Province, has recently supported the Kurdish armed group, the YPG, in retaking ground from ISIL. However, the UK is not providing any material assistance to the al-Sanadid army. We recognise the difficult circumstances the Syrian Kurds face in the midst of the continuing civil war and their fight against ISIL. They are making gains against ISIL with the help of anti-ISIL coalition airstrikes. But we are concerned that the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) continues to maintain links with the Assad regime and refuses to cooperate fully with the moderate Syrian Opposition. We are also concerned that the PYD maintains some links with the PKK, a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK. Over the past year, UK officials have met PYD representatives to raise our concerns.