Turkey calls on Ocalan to urge SDF to join Syrian army
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Devlet Bahceli, leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), on Tuesday called on Abdullah Ocalan, jailed leader of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), to urge the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to join the Syrian government forces.
Bahceli’s appeal aims to press the SDF to comply with a March 10 agreement between the SDF and the Syrian transitional government on integration into the central government.
In February, Ocalan called for PKK to disarm and dissolve, a message later endorsed by the militant group. Turkish officials have claimed that Ocalan’s call extends to the SDF, but the group insists it only applies to PKK fighters in Turkey and Iraq.
Bahceli expressed disappointment that the SDF has not yet complied with Ocalan’s February directive. He urged Ocalan to issue a direct call to the SDF and its YPG wing, urging them to integrate into the “Syrian Army” and fully comply with the March agreement.
On Tuesday, SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazlum Abdi met with Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus along with U.S. envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack — who also serves as US ambassador to Ankara — and Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of US Central Command.
During the meeting, the two Syrian sides agreed on an immediate ceasefire in north and northeast Syria, and assured on a firm commitment to implementing the provisions of the March 10 agreement, in an effort to prevent further bloodshed and to safeguard the security and safety of civilians.