SDF commander says Syria aims to benefit from Turkey’s attacks

Mazloum Abdi, the head of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) revealed diplomatic negotiations surrounding a possible Turkish ground offensive against territories in Northern Syria under control of the Kurdish militants.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Abdi said currently the US barred Turkey from sending its troops into Syria, Moscow was trying to implement the 2019 Sochi agreement it made with Turkey and Syria was trying to benefit from Turkish attacks to exert pressure over the cities in the region.

Abdi said the former US President Donald Trump “betrayed” its allies in the SDF when it did not oppose the Turkish infiltration in Syria in late 2019.

Asked if he was concerned that his forces would be “betrayed” again, he replied that “we are always worried but hope that the new American administration would fulfill its pledges and commitments and prevent Turkey from carrying out any operation.”

He noted that Turkish fighter jets had targeted the al-Hol camp for the displaced 80 kilometers deep into Syrian territory. “All Syrian skies were open to them and the US did nothing but make statements,” he said.

Abdi also spoke of the discussions he held with Aleksandr Chaiko, commander of the Russian forces in Syria, who visited him at his headquarters east of the Euphrates River.

“We can say that Russia is now standing in a neutral position between us and Türkiye,” Abdi said.

On the SDF’s role in Syria’s future, he stated that the force is generally part of the military’s defense organization.

“We have dispatched delegations to hold negotiations in Damascus. I want to go to Damascus when the conditions for a solution are right.”

Abdi said Syria’s position against the Turkish attacks were weak.

“Damascus is trying to benefit from it rather than stand with us. They want to exploit the situation to pressure the regions that we may hold dialogue about in the future, such as Manbij, Deir Ezzor, Raqqa and others,” he said.