Sipan Hemo removed from Turkey’s terror wanted list

Sipan Hemo, a high-ranking member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDG) and the current Deputy Minister of Defense for Syria, has reportedly been removed from Turkey’s terror wanted list. Previously identified under the codename Semir Asu, Hemo was listed on the high-priority “red list” due to alleged connections to the PKK/KCK.

Hemo’s appointment followed an integration agreement signed between the SDG and the Damascus administration on January 29, which stipulated that the Deputy Minister of Defense would be appointed upon the SDG’s recommendation. While his appointment sparked significant debate in Turkey regarding his ties to the YPG, his name has now been cleared from both the red list and other wanted databases.

Despite this change, other prominent SDG figures, including leader Mazlum Abdi, reportedly remain on Turkey’s wanted lists.