In the wake of intense criticism from Turkish media over Algeria's alleged hosting of a Kurdish separatist delegation in Tindouf, the Algerian embassy in Ankara has issued a statement to clarify the situation and reassure Turkey.
Amidst circulating images on social media purportedly showing members of the Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in the Tindouf camps, Algerian Ambassador Amar Belani has categorically denied the claims. Belani stated, «The allegations regarding a Kurdish delegation's invitation to Algeria are entirely unfounded and imaginary.»
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— Restitutor Orientis ?? (@restitutorII) January 13, 2025
Turquie: L'ambassade d'Algérie réagit à la photo de militants du YPG affichant leur solidarité avec le Polisario. L'Algérie dément catégoriquement ces allégations qu'elle qualifie de "fantaisistes et totalement infondées" et réaffirme que les relations avec la Turquie sont… pic.twitter.com/VhB6zyjuUP
He emphasized that the robust and strategic ties between Algeria and Turkey remain unaffected by any misleading reports. «Our nation does not meddle in the internal affairs of other states,» Belani asserted, highlighting Algeria's commitment to condemning terrorism in all its forms.
Turkish publications, including the pro-government Daily Sabah, reported that the PKK and YPG were present at a «Sahrawi Solidarity Summit» held in Tindouf from January 4 to 7. These reports claim that the groups used the platform to promote their cause and criticize Turkey's counter-terrorism efforts.
A so-called international conference took place in Tindouf, Algeria, in camps controlled by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, with PKK/YPG members in attendance.
According to local sources contacted by Clash Report, this conference would not have been possible without the… pic.twitter.com/uAg9Vp2qGr— Clash Report (@clashreport) January 9, 2025
Turkey designates both the PKK and YPG as terrorist organizations and actively targets them with airstrikes in Syria and Iraq. Furthermore, Turkey does not recognize the Polisario's self-declared republic, maintaining its support for a peaceful resolution to regional conflicts under United Nations auspices.