Yes, they have under international law..... A separate people, with their own language and culture, so they have the right to be independent and deciding their own future.  And frankly, in the 20-ties, they were fucked over for geopolitical reasons and it was decided over their heads. ( see the treaties of Sevres and Lausanne) Side note: these two treaties also are the incubators of the Palestinian/ Arab - Israeli conflict.  Yet, they are a diverse group.  The YPG is the military, security forces of the autonomous regions in Northern Syria. Before making any conclusions, read their constitution: https://civiroglu.net/the-constitution-of-the-rojava-cantons/ It does not really deviate from what in western democracies is practice. So, yes, it is a lefty eco semi guided system that respects private property and promotes decentralization. Quite a project.  THe PKK started out as a marxist lenninist group. But is now promoting a sort of democratic federalism, as evidenced by the constitution of autonomous regions within the Syrian state.  The actual situation of the ground is, that from the PKK the YPG sprang. So, it is to be expected that remnants of that commie past are still there, like the antifa flags and buttons.  Many nations and organisations have deemed the PKK a terrorist organisation, including NATO. The UN however, does not consider it to be a terrorist organisation.  This creates somewhat of a shadow situation as US forces work with YPG, while at the same time a NATO ally is embroiled with the YPG. From a moral point of view, Turkey likes inhumane treatment and torture, whereas the autonomous regions seems to reject it.  My guess, based on the above, is: it is another murky situation which are best handled by the Nations concerned, the EU, and Israel. Let's see what comes of it.