Syrian opposition minister calls on PYD to pick a side

The head of the temporary opposition government formed by the Syrian National Coalition has said in a special interview with Daily Sabah that "the PYD [Democratic Union Party] needs to take a clear position, stating clearly whether it stands with the Syrian revolution or against it." Ahmad Tumeh said: "Calling [the PYD] a third party neither affiliated with the opposition nor the regime is nothing but a desperate lie. We have witnessed their cooperation with the Syrian regime against the opposition. They are allies of the Syrian regime; rather, they have become a part of it."

Commenting on recent developments in Aleppo, he added: "The situation is so deplorable. Russia is trying to hit many birds with one stone. With increasing crime and waves of refugees, Russia aims to pave the way for the Syrian regime to regain control of Aleppo, put an end to the Syrian Free Army, remove the Syrian Free Army from the political equation and stop the political opposition."

He also warned that ongoing Russian airstrikes may cause the number of refugees fleeing Aleppo to top 400,000.

Pointing to Ankara's unwavering stance on the Syrian issue and refugees, he added: "The Turkish position is positive and different organizations like İHH [Humanitarian Relief Foundation], AFAD [Disaster and Emergency Management Authority] and the Turkish Red Crescent continue to provide Syrian refugees in Syria and Turkey with humanitarian assistance."