Earlier this week, comedian Jon Stewart voiced his opinion on the recent developments in Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Spoilers: the Kurds are getting the short end of the stick.
Jon Stewart Explains Airstrikes
In Jon Stewart’s commentary, he discusses how Turkish warplanes have begun to play a role in the fight against the Islamic State. However, Stewart notes that the majority of Turkey’s airstrikes have targeted pro-American Kurdish military units, particularly the PKK, or Kurdistan Worker’s Party, and the People’s Protection Units (YPG).
Jon Stewart’s commentary on Islamic State terrorism and recent Turkish airstrikes starts around 5 minutes in the video below.
Kurds: America’s Ally Against ISIS
In recent weeks, the United States officials have called Kurdish military units “very effective fighters.” In particular, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Syria have allowed U.S.-led coalition airstrikes to accurately target Islamic State strongholds in Syria.
Turkey’s recent bombing of the Kurdish YPG in Syria and PKK in Iraq is counter-effective towards the goal of degrading and destroying Islamic State, so why are they bombing Kurds?
Why is Turkey Bombing America’s Allies?
The Turkish government views the Kurds, the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) in particular, as dangerous to Turkish unity. For years, the PKK has been using terrorist tactics to fight for increased Kurdish and minority rights in Turkey.
Turkey claims the right to airstrikes against the Kurdish military units, because they have labeled the PKK a “terrorist organization,” a claim that the United States has endorsed.
Without a specific strategy to counter Islamic State terrorists, the United States may be leaving the Kurds high and dry.
[To Watch the Full Episode, Visit the Daily Show]
