General Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said in an interview with Al-Hadath TV, on 13 November, that there is a real threat of a looming Turkish offensive in northeastern Syria.
Abdi stated that Russia and Damascus have been closely monitoring the situation in northeastern Syria and Turkey is planning new attacks.
“The US and Russia have stated that they would not support Turkey if it decides to launch a new attack against us,” he said, “We know that Turkey cannot attack without international approval.”
“We are not in dialogue with Turkey, right now,” he said, “but if Turkey withdraws from the occupied territories, such as Afrin and other areas it has occupied, then we can sit down for negotiations.”
Abdi shared his view that the SDF is also willing to participate in a negotiation process for a resolution of the Syrian crisis. “Syrian territories should be protected and negotiations can be facilitated with this perspective,” he said.
“But the return of the regime to our region, is impossible and we reject any such an imposition.”
So far there has been no agreement signed between the SDF and the regime, Abdi said. “Such an agreement will not be possible until all parties are able to sit down and reach a common understanding on finding a solution to the Syrian conflict.”
Abdi shared more on the conditions of the SDF for negotiations with Damascus.
“We demand recognition for the Syrian Democratic Forces and for all of our security forces,” he said.
“We have an army of 100,000, we have a special mission in the region, which hosts such a diversity of people that represents all Syria.”
Abdi believes that the new US administration would be open for negotiations with the Syrian regime and willing to cooperate to find a solution to the general situation in Syria. “The US administration is not opposed to a meeting with the regime,” he said.
“We are taking every step to resolve the Syrian conflict and we do not stand against any attempt in this regard.”
Abdi evaluates positively, the reconciliation between Damascus and the regional Arab states as opposed to the attempts of non-Arab states, such as Russia, Turkey and Iran to impose their own visions in Syria, but still, he warns that such a reconciliation may not be the key for a sustainable resolution to the Syrian conflict.
“Reconciliation between the Arab states and Damascus is good, but with this approach the regime wants to impose itself in the region and strengthen its position and this is not the way for a resolution,” he said.
“Turkey’s threats pose a general problem for all regions of Syria, because Turkey wants to block all solutions,” Abdi concluded.
“But thanks to our system that we have strengthened over the years we are now in a better position than before. We have many friends and we have formed new friendships. This is also a sign of our efforts to seek a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian conflict.
