Russia, Turkey, and Iran reach understanding on Turkish military operation in Syria’s Ein Issa: Security sources
QAMISHLI, Syria – (North Press) – Well-informed security sources told North Press on Sunday that Russia, Turkey, and Iran have agreed to launch intense strikes against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Ein Issa in northern countryside of Raqqa.
The SDF defends approximately one-third of Syrian territory. The region is administrated by theAutonomous Administration of North and East Syria and supported by the US-led Global Coalition.
A source from the Syrian government said that a meeting was held between Russian, Turkish, and Iranian officials outside Syria over the past few days and resulted in an agreement on determining the fate of the Autonomous Administration in northeastern Syria.
According to the source, during the meeting Turkey proposed a strong blow to the SDF that would completely eliminate its presence in the region, also proposing that it undertake the implementation of this task, while the Russians and the Iranians agreed to the Turkish proposal, provided that the Syrian government forces are stationed in the attack area instead of the SDF.
The source said that another meeting was held between Russian and Turkish officers two days ago in the village of Kor Hassan in Turkish-controlled Tel Abyad (Gre Spi), and the two sides discussed the presence of the SDF in the region.
The source added: "Turkish officers asked the Russians to withdraw SDF 30 km away from their current points, and the Russians expressed their approval of the request, provided that Syrian government forces replace them in the area.”
Since the Sochi Agreement, also known as the Putin-Erdogan agreement, on October 22 last year, the SDF has been stationed 30 km from the Turkish border, as the SDF announced earlier.
On the first of July, the presidents of Russia, Turkey, and Iran held a virtual tripartite summit within the sixth round of the Astana talks, in which they declared their determination to fight the Autonomous Administration and the SDF.
A closing statement issued by the summit's outputs said they reject all attempts to create new realities on the ground, including autonomy initiatives, and expressed their determination to stand against these agendas in reference to the SDF and the Autonomous Administration.
Badran Gia Kurd, a senior official in the Autonomous Administration, said in a press statement a few days ago that "Turkey is trying to unite Russia and Iran’s stance with its position against the existence of the Autonomous Administration. It seems Russia has yielded to Turkish pressures, as well as Iran and Damascus supporting the Turkish position."