Syrian armed group praises Iran’s diplomatic efforts to stop Turkish invasion

A leader of an Iranian backed Syrian armed group on Tuesday commended Iran’s attempts to find a political solution to keep Turkey from invading northern Syria.

Hajj Rida, a representative of Local Defense Forces in the northern countryside of Aleppo told local agencies that “Any new war in northern Syria will further complicate the Syrian scene.”

On Saturday during a visit to Damascus, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said that Iran will expend all its efforts to prevent a military operation, adding he had also spoken to Turkish officials for a diplomatic solution.

Turkey last month has pledged a new offensive to northern Syria to oust Kurdish-led SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) from Manbij and Tal Rifaat. Ankara intends to to create a 30-kilometer deep “safe zone” it says necessary to keep SDF at bay. 

Turkey has sent build ups to Azaz, southern Afrin and Marea and these are already posing a threat to Iraninan backed groups holding areas in the North of Aleppo, especially the towns of Nubl and Zahraa, Hajj Rida said and added that they were ready to respond to any attack by Turkey.

“The areas of the northern countryside of Aleppo are geographically close and closely interconnected. Any presence of hostile forces on the outskirts of Tel Rifaat means that they are subject to targeting and blocking roads through rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns,” he explained.