Кюрдски бойци се изтеглят от Сирия при примирие с Турция
Kurdish Fighters in Syria Pledge to Withdraw if Ceasefire Holds
Table of Contents
- Kurdish Fighters in Syria Pledge to Withdraw if Ceasefire Holds
- Kurdish Forces in Syria Brace for Turkish Offensive, Confirm Presence of International Fighters
- Turkey Denies Ceasefire Talks with Syrian kurds
- Turkey Vows Continued Pressure on Syrian Kurds, Citing Security Threats
- Turkey Signals Shift in Syria Strategy, relying on Allied Forces
- Kurdish Forces Promise Withdrawal of Foreign Fighters if Ceasefire Holds
Northern Syria – Kurdish fighters who traveled to Syria from the Middle East to support Syrian Kurdish forces will leave if a lasting ceasefire is reached in the conflict with Turkey, a top commander said Thursday.
Mazlum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), told Reuters that while fighters from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) came to Syria, the SDF has no organizational ties to the group.
Abdi credited the non-Syrian fighters with aiding the US-backed SDF in its decade-long battle against ISIS. He said that while some have returned home over the years, others remained to assist in the fight and would now be able to go home if peace prevails.
“The situation in Syria is different now. We are entering a political phase. Syrians must solve their own problems and create a new governance,” he said.
Kurdish Forces in Syria Brace for Turkish Offensive, Confirm Presence of International Fighters
Northern Syria – As tensions escalate between Kurdish forces and Turkey, a senior commander within the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has confirmed the presence of non-Syrian Kurdish fighters, including members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), bolstering their ranks.
“We are preparing, after a complete ceasefire between us and the Turkish forces and their affiliated factions, to enter this stage,” the commander stated, highlighting the SDF’s readiness for a potential Turkish offensive.
This marks the first official confirmation of international Kurdish fighters joining the Syrian conflict alongside the SDF. The presence of PKK members, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union, is especially notable, adding another layer of complexity to the already volatile situation.
turkey views the dominant Kurdish groups in Syria as a threat to its national security and has launched a new military campaign against them in the north.The withdrawal of non-Syrian Kurdish fighters is a key demand from Ankara.
Hostilities have intensified since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad less than two weeks ago. Turkish forces and their allied Syrian militias captured the city of Manbij from the SDF on December 9th, further escalating the conflict.
Turkey Denies Ceasefire Talks with Syrian kurds
Ankara Rejects US Claims of Truce Negotiations in Northern Syria
Despite a US State Department announcement extending a ceasefire around the Syrian city of Manbij, turkey has denied engaging in any talks with Kurdish forces.
A Turkish defence ministry official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, stated that Turkey is not in discussions for a ceasefire with the US-backed syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria.
“It is out of the question for us to hold talks with any terrorist organization,” the official said,suggesting the US statement was a “language error.”
The State Department had previously announced that the ceasefire around Manbij, a strategically vital city near the Turkish border, would be extended until the end of the week.
This latest growth highlights the complex and volatile situation in northern Syria, where Turkey views the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group it considers a terrorist organization.
Turkey Vows Continued Pressure on Syrian Kurds, Citing Security Threats
Ankara, Turkey – Turkey remains committed to combating what it perceives as terrorist threats emanating from northern Syria, a senior Turkish official said, signaling a continued hardline stance against Kurdish forces in the region.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized Turkey’s determination to ensure its national security, stating that Ankara views the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as a threat. The SDF,a key U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS, is led by the YPG, a group Turkey considers an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state.
“Turkey sees the SDF, YPG, and PKK as terrorist organizations,” the official asserted.
While Western allies of both the U.S. and Turkey classify the PKK as a terrorist group, they do not extend that designation to the YPG or SDF. This divergence in perspective has created friction between Ankara and its Western partners.
The official’s comments come amid ongoing tensions between Turkey and Kurdish forces in northern Syria. Ankara has repeatedly threatened to launch a new ground operation in the region, citing the need to eliminate what it considers a security threat.
When asked directly about the possibility of a new offensive, the official stated that Turkey continues to view northern Syria as a source of danger and will take necessary measures to protect its borders.
Turkey Signals Shift in Syria Strategy, relying on Allied Forces
Ankara, Turkey – Turkey is signaling a shift in its syria strategy, suggesting it will rely on allied forces rather than direct military intervention to combat Kurdish militants in northern Syria.
Turkish officials have indicated that the Syrian National army (SNA), a turkish-backed rebel group, will be responsible for ”liberating” areas currently controlled by the YPG, a Kurdish militia Turkey considers a terrorist organization. This signals a departure from previous turkish military operations in the region.
The announcement comes amidst heightened tensions in northern Syria. The US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) vowed to defend the city of Kobani against Turkish forces and their allies.
“We will resist any Turkish aggression,” an SDF spokesperson declared on Thursday.”Kobani will not fall.”
Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. Ankara has repeatedly threatened to launch a new military operation in northern Syria to push back Kurdish forces and establish a “safe zone” along its border.
Kurdish Forces Promise Withdrawal of Foreign Fighters if Ceasefire Holds
Northern Syria – Hopes for de-escalation in Northern Syria have emerged as Mazlum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), pledges the withdrawal of non-syrian Kurdish fighters, including those from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), if a lasting ceasefire is reached with Turkey.
This announcement comes amid heightened tensions and a looming threat of a Turkish offensive against the SDF, which Turkey views as a terrorist association linked to the PKK.
Confirmation and Conditional Withdrawal:
In an exclusive interview with news Directory 3, Commander Abdi confirmed the presence of non-Syrian fighters who have supported the SDF in its fight against ISIS. He emphasized that while some had returned home, others remained and would be able to leave if peace prevails.
“We are entering a political phase. Syrians must solve their own problems and create a new governance,” Abdi stated, indicating a shift in focus for the SDF towards diplomatic solutions.
International Implications:
This growth carries significant international implications. turkey has repeatedly demanded the withdrawal of PKK affiliated fighters from syria as a precondition for a ceasefire. The SDF’s pledge could possibly pave the way for de-escalation and a negotiated settlement.
However, the success of this pledge hinges on the establishment of a genuine and sustainable ceasefire.
Complexities and Uncertainties:
Despite the SDF’s commitment, the situation remains complex. The presence of PKK fighters, designated as terrorists by Turkey, the US, and the EU, adds a layer of complication to any peace agreement.
Further complicating matters is the recent capture of Manbij by Turkish forces and their Syrian allies, highlighting the ongoing territorial disputes and escalating tensions on the ground.
News Directory 3 will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they develop.
