The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced their readiness to discuss joining Syrian regime forces after reaching a political solution in Syria.
The Russian RIA Novosti news agency quoted a spokesman for the SDF, Mustafa Bali, as saying on Thursday, that his forces were ready, “to discuss joining the Syrian army after reaching a political solution for the Syrian crisis.”
Bali added that: “We believe that there is a need for a political solution in which the Syrian people and all its members can reconcile with one another. Then the Syrian Democratic Forces are open to whatever decisions are made, regardless of the names to be put forward to join the Syrian Army or the Fifth Brigade.”
He added: “All parties should understand that this is a political crisis that needs a solution through political means.”
The Kurdish official spoke after discussions held by the SDF General Commander, Mazloum Abadi (Mazloum Kobani), with the Russian Defense Minister, Sergey Shoygu, for the first time, via satellite link, in order to implement the agreement. The two sides discussed the Kurdish side’s implementation of the steps stipulated in the memorandum of understanding between Russia and Turkey.
Shoygu informed Abadi that the Russian military police units which would be deployed on the Syrian border with Turkey would ensure the safety of Kurdish civilians there, and so there was no need for them to leave this area.
These steps coincide with the beginning of the implementation of the Turkish-Russian agreement, which stipulated the full withdrawal of the SDF from Syria’s border area with Turkey at a depth of 30 kilometers within 150 hours. The deal also stipulated the SDF withdrawal of their weapons from Manbij and Tel Rifaat.
Before this agreement, against the backdrop of the Turkish military operation in the areas east of the Euphrates, the Syrian regime over the last two weeks agreed with the SDF for regime forces to enter east of the Euphrates for the first time since 2012, as part of bilateral cooperation to confront Turkish forces, according to the declared position of both sides.
Before that, the SDF had invited the Syrian regime to dialogue while rejecting the option of joining its military forces. The regime considers these forces “separatist” and blames them for the American and Turkish intervention in northeast Syria which we’re outside their control.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
