Syrian parties should face Turkish invasion together – PYD female leader
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Thursday, a member of co-presidency of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), Fawza Youssef, said that the current situation requires putting all existing contradictions between the Syrian government and Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) aside in order to confront Turkish invasion together.
Youssef told North Press that if the abovementioned parties put a plan to face Turkey, this will be as a prelude for more understandings.
On May 23, Erdogan announced taking steps to complete the so-called remained portions of the “safe zone” plan along Turkey’s southern border saying, “We will soon take new steps regarding the incomplete portions of the project we started on the 30 km deep safe zone we established along our southern border.”
The Turkish “safe zone” is an area of 30-35 km (19-22 miles) deep into Syrian territory that Turkey started establishing in 2019 to house Syrian refugees in an area along its border with Syria, as well as to keep it free from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which it regards as terrorists.
On May 25, Turkey’s National Security Council said that Turkey’s “existing and future military operations along its southern borders were necessary for the country’s security.” In the meeting, Erdogan delivered a speech to the MPs of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and said, “Turkish military would continue to rid its neighbor of terrorists” refers to the SDF.
On June 1, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed his threats of launching a military operation on northern Syria, and specified his targets in the two Syrian cities of Manbij and Tel Rifaat, which include many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Youssef declared that the PYD will abide by what will be agreed upon in this regard between the government and the AANES.
The PYD was established on 20 September 2003 in northeast Syria.
It describes itself as believing in social equality, justice and the freedom of belief as well as pluralism and the freedom of political parties.
Regarding the conditions of rapprochement between the two parties, Youssef stressed that no agreement has been reachead so far.
Earlier, Ilham Ahmad, president of the Executive Committee of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), responded to Russian invitation to integrate Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with the Syrian government forces, saying that it is important to find a political solution, in addition the integration process should follow certain mechanisms in light of the dispersal of the government forces, according to local agencies.
We can carry out internal issues peacefully, but currently the greatest issue is threatening our existence as Syrians, Youssef added.
She believes that the US won’t object this step, since it rejects the Turkish military operation. Besides, it is an internal issue and serves the area’s stability.
However, she expected that some international and regional parties to work to impede this step, as there is a state of conflict among these parties in order to achieve their interests, and therefore this agreement does not achieve their goals.
“Turkish president Erdogan’ goal is not to hit the AANES only, but he is still seeking to achieve his main objective that he had clearly disclosed at the beginning of the Syrian war, saying that they will pray in the Umayyad Mosque,” according to Youssef.
The goal of the Turkish operation on Manbij and Tel Rifaat is to occupy Aleppo, and thus occupying other areas of Syria, “so it is important to realize this fact and move in order to stand together against this aggression, and to develop a joint strategy in this regard, which is a fundamental issue that we must agree on,” she added.
On Wednesday, Mazloum Abdi, the SDF commander in chief, explained that they take the Turkish threats seriously, and they are preparing to enter any possible confrontation.