The organizations affiliated with the outlawed PKK in Europe are reported to be collecting financial assistance for the PKK's Syrian offshoot, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) under the name of fighting terrorism.
The PYD's Peoples Protection Units (YPG) emerged as the most significant partner of the US-led coalition on the ground, which tries to roll back ISIS advances in Syria since having repelled an ISIS attack in Kobani. However, Turkey's stance against the PYD is similar to the PKK, so it has been refraining from giving support to the Kurds fighting in Syria against ISIS, although Turkey is an important ally. Ankara fears backing provided to the YPG in the name of contributing to the fight against ISIS might create another terrorist organization in the region. However, the West has been giving the cold shoulder to the concerns of Ankara and continues supporting the PKK's extension. According to Vahdet daily, occasions are held by organizations close to the PKK, funds are being collected to be sent to the PYD.
The Democratic Kurdistan Society Center has been calling on nongovernmental organizations in Bordeaux in France to help the PYD. "The PKK guerillas are fighting against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. If it weren't for the PYD, they would come to Europe to hold protests. You should provide financial assistance to the PKK," the organization warned in a bid to collect funds for the PYD. It is claimed that a large amount of funds have been provided by the French in Bordeaux.
Another allegation is that the Kurdistan Students Association (YXK) established by students from Goethe University has collected money for the PYD during their summer meeting in Frankfurt.
A businessman who lives in Germany as a Turkish expat, F.Y., said: "Besides financial support, leftist German groups have been sending youngsters, what they call ‘freedom fighters,' to fight in the PYD ranks in Syria." He also said there has been much speculation circulating that many youngsters from Germany and Austria are heading to Syria to join PYD forces. He also claimed there have been huge funds collected from Kurdish businessmen with a promise of Kurdistan.
