SDF: We are Indirectly Present at Safe Zone Talks

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi has said that they are "indirectly present" at the meetings between Turkey and the US on a "safe zone" in northern Syria.

Saying that the talks on a safe zone in the region is nothing new but began after the US President Donald Trump announced in December 2018 that they will withdraw forces from Syria, Abdi remarked, "At the time, we asked our American partners to mediate between us and the Turkish state to resolve the issue through dialogue, not war," in an interview with the Hawar News Agency.

The SDF has been a US ally in the Syrian war and controls about a third of the country's territory in the east and northeast. Ankara views the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which is designated as a terrorist organization by both Turkey and the US.

Abdi said that both Turkey and the SDF presented their "projects" on a buffer zone to the US: "We are confident that our project is more objective and reasonable and ensures the security of both parties. We are confident that our project will be implemented and will succeed."

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"The Americans play the role of a mediator between us the Turkish state," he said, adding that the US tells both sides about the views of each other.

"We see this as a positive thing. The outline was agreed, there are no details yet. The three fundamental issues that have emerged in the media are fundamental and we agree with what has emerged. We are confident that the framework of the agreement is appropriate for a solution. But there are still many details," he added. Turkey's foreign minister also said yesterday (August 15) that there are still many things that need to be detailed.

Turkey's use of airspace

When asked about if the SDG will accept Turkey's use of the Syrian airspace in the agreed area, he said they "did not and will not accept it" as reconnaissance flights will endanger other areas held by the SDF as well. The Ministry of National Defense announced on Wednesday (August 14) that they began drone flights over the "safe zone" area. 

As for the resettlement of the Syrian refugees in Turkey to the "safe zone", Abdi said, "Previously, we issued a statement in which we appealed to the people of the area to return to their homes. Residents of north-eastern Syria in Turkey can return." (PT/VK)