Biden administration committed to supporting SDF – U.S. diplomat

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Former U.S. Ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, stated on Thursday that the Biden administration will not abandon the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), adding that the president views the SDF as America’s  local partner in Syria.

Turkish President Erdogan on Dec. 7 renewed his threats to invade areas in northern Syrian.

Ford’s remarks came during an interview with the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency at the TRT World Forum in Istanbul.

Ford stated that the Biden administration is committed to maintaining U.S. forces in northeastern Syria and emphasized the importance of having a reliable local partner on the ground, such as the SDF, with whom the United States has had a partnership for the past decade.

Ford emphasized that ISIS takes advantage of the ongoing hostilities between the SDF and militants affiliated with the Syrian government and Iran in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, eastern Syria.

On Dec. 7, the U.S. Senate voted down Senator Rand Paul’s bill to withdraw American forces from Syria by a vote of 13-84.

The vote highlights strong political support for the U.S. military presence in northeastern Syria, Ford said.

By Saad al-Yaziji