’We reject any potential Russian posts in the area’ – Tribal council in Syria
DERIK, Syria (North Press) – The head of the local council in Derik affiliated with the Kurdish National Council, (ENKS, a Kurdish political bloc affiliated with the Syrian opposition) Ali Ibrahim, said that they reject the possibility of establishing Russian military police points in Derik or in the Kurdish region in general.
In an announcement, Ibrahim told North Press that they are working with their full diplomatic efforts to prevent the formation of the points. “These posts will impose a Turkish threat on the area,” he added.
He expressed his fear of Russian presence in the area “because it is a strategic ally and direct defender of the Syrian Government,”
He added that “they call on Syrian people to accept this autocratic government.”
Recently, Russian military police have conducted intense patrols in Derik and tried to establish military posts in villages that are under its control, but residents have protested this.
On July 16, Russian military police conducted a patrol consisting of five armoured vehicles in Derik, while sources from Robarya village south of Derik insured that American and Russian patrols passed by the agricultural airport, which is a helipad for American forces and the Global Coalition.
Ali pointed out to that “we are close to American authorities because they are behind international resolution No.2254 and demand change in Syria, just as the intra-Kurdish rapprochement is American-sponsored and is the beginning of reaching a comprehensive agreement that serves our cause.”
An American lieutenant told North Press on June 7 that they work hard to prevent Russia from coming to Derik while an American patrol was travelling throughout Qaser Dib village in the countryside of Derik after Russian forces withdrew.
In a statement of which North Press obtained a copy, the Council of Clans in Derik announced its rejection of Russian forces’ deployment and expressed their fears of “a deal that Russia may conduct with Turkey regarding the Derik region.”
(Reporting by Solnar Muhammad, editing by Lucas Chapman)