Council of Clans in Syria’s Derik rejects Russian presence, demands UN-supervised safe zone
DERIK, Syria (North Press) – Derik’s Council of Clans rejected the deployment of Russian forces and expressed concern over a deal that Russia might conduct with Turkey on Derik.
The Council of Clans called on the Global Coalition to intervene to prevent Russia from implementing its plans, to protect the region’s communities from military alliances, and to support them economically in light of the deteriorating living situation and the imminent implementation of Caesar sanctions.
The council called for the establishment of a no-fly zone under the auspices of the United Nations.
Hawas Jadea, head of the Tayya Clan and head of the Council of Clans in the Eastern Region, told North Press on Tuesday the areas of northeastern Syria have become a place for foreign forces as Russia, Turkey and America to conduct military patrols on a daily basis, making the region a total mess.
Jadea added the Council of Clans rejects unilateral agreements and moves, noting the countries that want to support the region should not conclude unilateral agreements, but rather negotiate with the SDF and the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria.
He pointed out that the agreements must include all levels – the military, political, and economic, in addition to diplomacy, not just the military side.
"They only conclude an alliance on the military level, and we are the ones who give martyrs to fight terrorism. As for the other issues, we are not involved, and this is not acceptable."
Jadea called for a no-fly zone and making the areas of northeastern Syria safe under the supervision of the United Nations to reassure the people from the Turkish threats against the regions of northeastern Syria.
Hassan Abdulrahman, one of the founders of the Council of Clans, said they reject the deployment of the Russian military police in the region because Russia wants to complete the consolidation of its military and economic control, and because its presence came as military reserves, which are totally rejected by the region’s communities.
Abdulrahman stated that they have great concerns regarding Russian political ambitions in light of Russian-Turkish rapprochement, as it is possible that Russia will enter into a deal with Turkey over areas of northeastern Syria, just as what happened in Afrin.
Residents of villages in the countryside of Derik protested against the conduct of a patrol, which travelled from Qamishli to northern Derik, by the Russian military police on the border strip last week. Russian forces stationed in the vicinity of Qasr al-Deeb village 6 km north of the city of Derik, amid fear of the region's residents and their continuous protests against their presence.
A number of members of the Russian military police equipped with their individual weapons and accompanied by 18 armored vehicles were stationed earlier this week next to the school in the vicinity of the village, but they withdrew after two days, which residents interpreted as the result of the village's refusal of the Russian presence.
Ibrahim Shibli, a member of the Human Rights Organization in the Jazira region and the Council of Clans, said they do not welcome the military presence of the Global Coalition or Russia in North and East Syria if it is only to achieve their interests and obtain oil.
He said: “If their presence is to protect us and establish a no-fly zone under the supervision of the United Nations then we thank them, otherwise, we will not accept them. Russia promised to protect Afrin and did not, we fear the same scenario will happen again. Therefore, we demand the implementation of the oil-for-food program, as happened in Iraq in 2003, so that the economic crisis and the Caesar sanctions will not affect us.”
Othman Ibrahim, representative of the Haruna Clan in the Council of Clans, said they reject any Russian presence in Derik and its countryside, just as they reject any deal for their regions by any state, stating that these solutions and these trade-offs do not solve the problem nor reach any result. Ibrahim added that there is no solution except through dialogue between the Syrian parties.
Derik is one of the places where US forces that lead the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS maintain a military presence after their withdrawal from most of northern Syria according to the decision issued by the US President Donald Trump late last year.
A US officer in the area told North Press on Sunday: "We promise to do everything we can to prevent them [Russian forces] from coming in," during a US patrol in Qasr al-Deeb after the withdrawal of Russian forces.
The US officer added: "There is [sic] a lot of different things that we can do, we can put ourselves here physically, and we can also make phone calls and do with it more politically as well, and talk to them directly and let them know that we prefer them not to be here."