The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) welcomed Washington’s decision to lift the sanctions imposed on foreign investments in areas not under the control of the Assad regime in north and east Syria, while expressing its willingness to welcome “investment companies”.
SDF leader Mazloum Abdi tweeted on Saturday that the SDF welcomed the decision and all companies to invest. He said the U.S. decision is “a good step to rebuild infrastructure and support the economy.”
He also called on local and international companies to invest in areas under the Autonomous Administration control, noting that it is “a step to establish sustainable stability”.
On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department agreed to allow activities in 12 sectors, including agriculture, construction, and finance, in northern and eastern Syria.
These areas are divided into two parts: one under the control of SDF and the other within the control of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army coalition. They’re all outside regime-controlled areas.
Turkey criticized the U.S. move through its President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu.
“We will not accept this American mistake,” Erdogan told reporters.His foreign minister said the decision was “legitimizing the existence of the YPG and the terrorist PKK.”
The Assad regime did the same, with its Foreign Ministry issuing a statement on Saturday condemning the U.S. move.
The ministry accused Washington of providing aid to armed “terrorist organizations” in northeastern and north-western Syria, destroying the potential of the Syrian economy and plundering its wealth of cotton, oil, wheat, and antiquities.
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.
