Syrian Kurds welcome US mediation to open border crossing with KRI
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Tuesday, Kurdish politicians welcomed an initiative launched by the US for mediation to open Semalka border crossing between Syria and the Kurdistan region of Iraq (KRG).
On October 25, Nikolas Granger, US Senior Representative to Northeast Syria, met with the two opposing sides of intra-Kurdish dialogue in the city of Qamishli, northeastern Syria.
Jamal Sheikh Baqi, Secretary-General of Kurdistan Democratic Party of Syria, said Kurdish National Unity Parties (PYNK) welcomed the US’ initiative to start a dialogue between the KRI government and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
The US initiative is meant to open the crossing routinely and organize it in favor of residents in all fields, according to Sheikh Baqi.
The Kurdish politician said during the meeting with Granger, they focused on aspects of stability and security in northeastern Syria.
Additionally, Turkish attacks by drones and Turkish disrespect to agreements concluded with the US and Russia were tacked by the gathering parties.
Following the Turkish incursion in October 2019, Turkey signed two ceasefire agreements, one with Russia and the other with the US stipulating ceasing all hostilities and the withdrawal of the SDF 32 km away from the Turkish border.
The SDF did withdrew from the border areas according to the agreement, but Turkey continues targeting the area.
Granger stressed that the US and the US-led Global Coalition will provide more support in the fields of development and stability.
Nemat Dawood, member of General Secretariat of the Kurdish National Council (ENKS) in Syria, told North Press they discussed with the US Senior Representative to Northeast Syria “difficult” economic the region is facing and the education issue.
Recent developments in the city of Afrin, north of Aleppo Governorate, and the implications of the entry of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) were touched up on during the meeting, according to Dawood.
On October 13, the HTS took control over Afrin and some district and villages in its countryside after fierce clashes with Third Legion, a faction affiliated with the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army.