Abdi says SDF in direct contact with Turkey, open to meeting Erdogan
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Commander in Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, said on Friday that the SDF is in direct communication with Turkey and that he is open to meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In an interview with Shams, a news channel broadcasting in Arabic from Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRG), aired Friday evening, Abdi stated that Kurds will play a role worthy of their sacrifices and contributions.
Earlier in the day, al-Monitor reported that U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, had reaffirmed Washington’s continued support for the SDF in its fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). According to sources cited by the outlet, Abdi also received an offer to meet with senior Turkish officials in Damascus.
During their first call, Ambassador Barrack encouraged Abdi to pursue de-escalation talks with Turkey, with U.S. mediation, the report added.
Abdi reiterated the SDF’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the Syrian transitional government within the framework of political decentralization.
He revealed that a joint delegation, comprising representatives from the Kurdish National Council (ENKS) and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), had been formed to negotiate with the Syrian transitional government.
A new Syria cannot be built without acknowledging the rights of all its components, Abdi said, emphasizing the role of the SDF and local communities in defeating terrorism.
He asserted the Kurdish people have suffered from decades of marginalization, and they will not accept a return to that era.
Abdi added that integrating the SDF into the Syrian military structure will be a complex, long-term process. He rejected “quick fixes” or “cosmetic solutions” that fail to address the core issues faced by Kurds and other communities.
The integration of the SDF must be part of a comprehensive political agreement that recognizes decentralization and safeguards the rights of the people of northeastern Syria, he noted.