Mazloum Abdi, General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) discussed recent developments in broader Syria and its implications for northeast Syria, highlighting the SDF’s efforts to achieve a peaceful future for all people of Syria through diplomatic efforts.
In the interview, conducted by Xezne Nebî of the Kurdish Ronahî TV, Abdi reiterated the SDF’s commitment to resolving the current conflicts in Syria through political and diplomatic means rather than military force. He expressed the SDF’s openness to a general ceasefire in the region, but also expressed doubts about whether the Turkish army and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) would respect the ceasefire.
Asked about the recent clashes between the SNA and the SDF, which began in Tel Rifaat and Shahba, north of Aleppo, and then continued to the city of Manbij (Minbîc), Abdi said that there were ongoing clashes at the Qara Quzaq Bridge and the Tishreen Dam, which connect the cities of Manbij and Kobani (Kobanê).
So far, all attacks have been repelled by the SDF, who report that the heavy clashes over the past few days have resulted in the deaths of 210 SNA mercenaries and at least eight SDF fighters. Abdi highlighted the importance of the defence points, saying that they lead to the city of Kobani, known for the historic resistance that took place in the city against ISIS in 2014. “Kobani is not only important for us Kurds, it’s important for the whole world,” Abdi said, calling for diplomatic and political pressure on Turkey not to attack the city.
Abdi also revealed the direct links between the SNA and the Turkish state, saying that during recent talks between the SDF and the SNA on a ceasefire in northern Syria, the SNA had clearly told the SDF that they could not make any decisions “on their own”, but would have to “talk to the Turkish state first”.
Asked about future talks between the SDF and the new Syrian government in Damascus, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the SDF commander-in-chief expressed his confidence in a peaceful future for all the people of Syria, stressing that the old Syrian regime under Assad “did not allow any political solution to the process” as the people living in the areas of northern and eastern Syria under the control of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) were not involved in political processes.
Abdi also stated that when the HTS began attacking the city of Aleppo on 27 November, they sent an official message to the SDF that their targets were “the Syrian regime and not the SDF or its areas”. He stressed the need for AANES representatives to hold diplomatic talks with the new Syrian government, saying that “there should be a delegation [from AANES] to Damascus”.
Finally, Abdi stressed that a new phase has begun for Syria and that it’s still unclear what this phase will bring, adding that “the situation remains dangerous”, stressing that the state of emergency declared by the AANES will continue but that the SDF forces are ready and that “all the people of northern and eastern Syria should stand by our forces”.
