The Syrian Democratic Forces’ (SDF) Counter-Terrorism Units (YAT) have commemorated their fallen members who died in a helicopter crash last year while travelling to Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) on official duty.
SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi made a rare appearance at the ceremony, which was also attended by the families of the fallen commanders and fighters, as well as representatives of the Global Coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS).
Di merasîmeke leşkerî ya fermî de, Yekîneyên Dijî Terorê yên #YAT 9 şehîd, fermandar û şervanên xwe yên ku sala borî dema ku bi erkekî fermî ber bi bajarê Silêmaniyê ve diçûn, di encama ketina 2 helîkopteran de şehîd bibûn, bi bîr anîn.
Di merasîmê de Fermandarê Giştî yê Hêzên… pic.twitter.com/DkF6PiQ08Z— Farhad Shami (@farhad_shami) March 15, 2024
On 15 March last year, nine fighters from the SDF’s YAT lost their lives when two helicopters collided in bad weather near the northern city of Duhok in the KRI. The helicopters were transporting YAT members to Sulaymaniyah in the KRI for a security and military intelligence exchange. Among the casualties was the unit’s commander, Shervan Kobani.
The SDF issued a statement highlighting the significant loss, describing the deceased as highly skilled fighters and commanders who were instrumental in the fight against ISIS. The statement highlighted their pivotal roles in key battles in Kobanê, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, and their advanced training in warfare tactics.
During the ceremony, Abdi paid tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of the fallen members and reaffirmed the SDF’s commitment to continue its fight, strengthen the YAT and develop its military capabilities. The families of the martyrs were presented with commemorative plaques and the Global Coalition delegation laid a wreath in their memory, recognising their coordinated efforts which had yielded significant results.
The incident had prompted Turkey to accuse the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the ruling party in Sulaymaniyah, of collaboration with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), as Ankara views the Syrian Kurdish administration and the SDF as extensions of the PKK.
Following the crash, Turkey closed its airspace to flights to and from Sulaymaniyah. Shortly after the flight ban, Abdi survived a drone strike near Sulaymaniyah International Airport. Turkish forces have since carried out frequent air strikes in the region, saying that the strikes target the PKK.
Despite Ankara’s complaints, the United States continues to support the SDF, the military arm of the autonomous Kurdish administration in northeastern Syria, which is credited with driving ISIS militants from their last stronghold in Syria in 2019.
