SDF has right of defense with or without Russia: military commander
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – On Wednesday, the Commander of Tel Abyad Military Council, Riyad al-Khalaf, said that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have the right to defend their areas, with or without the presence of the Russian forces.
“We were not informed about the withdrawal of the Russian forces from their base at the beginning of this week, and their return the next day,” al-Khalaf told North Press.
Al-Khalaf added that despite the formation of joint points between the SDF, the Russian forces and the Syrian government forces to monitor the violations of Turkey and its affiliated groups, “we did not notice any role of Russia and Syria against these violations.”
Al-Khalaf pointed that the Turkish forces and its affiliated armed groups have recently intensified their bombing of Ain Issa and its countryside, targeting the villages of al-Khalidiya, al-Mesherfa, al-Jahbel, the M4 Highway and al-Hurriya.
On February 22, the town of Ain Issa, 50 km north of Raqqa, and the western countryside of Tel Abyad were subjected to heavy bombardment by the Turkish forces and its armed opposition groups, wounding a member of the Syrian government forces.
Russian forces and Syrian government forces entered Ain Issa after an agreement between Russia and the SDF in October 2019, days after Turkey and its armed groups launched a military operation on the cities of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tel Abyad.
On June 23, 2015, the SDF announced the control of Ain Issa after violent battles with the Islamic State (ISIS).