Syrian Kurds declare federal region

Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Syria have declared a federal region, a move likely to further complicate UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva

Under Kurdish control

Area claimed by Western Kurdistan

AFRIN CANTON

Aleppo

Kobani

TURKEY

KOBANI CANTON

Raqqa

SYRIA

Control shared with Syrian government

Qamishli

Hasakah

JAZIRA CANTON

IRAQ

SYRIA’S KURDS

50km 30 miles

Largest ethnic minority inSyria, making up more than10 percent of prewar population of 23 million.Kurds have declared their own civil administration in three enclaves, or cantons, under their control – Jazira, Kobani and Afrin – known collectively as Western Kurdistan, or Rojava

DEMOCRATIC UNION PARTY (PYD)

Main Syrian Kurdish political grouphas been excluded from Genevapeace talks so as not to anger Turkey.Ankara views group as extension of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK),which has waged decades-old insurgency for greater autonomy for Turkey’s Kurds

TURKEY

SYRIA

200km 120 miles

Kurdish-inhabited area

IRAN

IRAQ

PEOPLE’S PROTECTION UNITS (YPG)

PYD’s military wing, supported by U.S. and Russia, has proved highly effective in battling militants from so-called Islamic State group.Much of Syria’s border with Turkeycontrolled by YPG-dominated SyrianDemocratic Forces – allianceincludes Kurds, Arabs and Christians

Source: Wire agencies