Mazloum Abdi to hold talks with several parties on Turkey’s threats
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi revealed on Friday plans for holding extensive talks and meetings with the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Russia and the Syrian government to discuss the latest Turkish threats of launching a new military operation in northern Syria.
In a speech made to MPs of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on May 25, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the “Turkish military would continue to rid its neighbour of terrorists” referring to the YPG.
“We are taking a new step in establishing a 30km security zone along our southern border,” Erdogan said. “We will clean up Tel Rifaat and Manbij.”
Up until now, the stances of the UN, US, Russia and the Syrian government are all against the Turkish operation, Abdi added in his statements to the Kurdish channel Ronahi TV.
The SDF General Commander renewed his willingness to resolve the differences with Turkey through dialogue. “Our goal is solving all the crises and problems through dialogue. We work to solve the problem of the occupied areas through dialogue and peaceful ways.”
Washington, which aids SDF in the war against Islamic State Organization (ISIS), rejected Ankara’s plans of waging another war against its strategic ally in Syria. Moscow, on its part, suggested deploying Syrian security forces on the border, noting that this would guarantee security along Syrian-Turkish border.
Abdi called on the Syrian government “to carry out its duties against the Turkish interference,” and believed that the Turkish operation “will undermine all efforts made to resolve the Syrian crisis.”
Following the Turkish “Peace Spring” military operation in October 2019, which resulted in the occupation of the two cities of Tel Abyad, north of Raqqa, and Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), north of Hasakah, Turkey signed two ceasefire agreements, one with Russia and the other with the US.
The agreements stipulate halt of all hostilities there and the withdrawal of the SDF 30 km in depth away from the Turkish border in addition to conducting Turkish-Russian joint patrols in order to monitor the implementation of the agreements.
Abdi stressed on his forces’ commitment to the 2019 ceasefire agreement, “but Turkey is not committed,” referring to the Turkish military escalation along the contact lines. “Turkey should be forced to abide by the signed agreement.”
On Saturday morning, the Turkish forces and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) targeted the contact lines in Hasakah northern countryside.
He indicated that “the biggest beneficiary of the Turkish attack will be ISIS mercenaries,” noting that the Turkish-occupied areas in northern Syria are now filled with ISIS members.