HPG

HPG, often referred to as the People's Defense Forces or People's Protection Units, is a Kurdish socialist militia that primarily operates in the Syrian Civil War. It emerged in 2014 as the armed wing of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), a political party in Syria with strong ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) of Turkey. The HPG has been a key component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The HPG's stated goals include defending Kurdish populations and territories in Syria and advocating for Kurdish self-determination. They have been instrumental in several key battles against ISIL, notably in the liberation of Kobani and Raqqa. Their military capabilities and effectiveness have been recognized by international observers and military analysts.

However, the HPG's relationship with the PKK has led to its designation as a terrorist organization by Turkey, which views the HPG as an extension of the PKK's insurgency. This has created significant geopolitical tensions, particularly between Turkey and its NATO allies, including the United States, which have partnered with the HPG in the fight against ISIL. The HPG's presence and activities continue to be a complex and contentious issue in the ongoing Syrian conflict and the broader regional security landscape.