BEIRUT – Syria’s Kurdish crisis is expected to take a significant turn following a meeting between top Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi and Iraqi Kurdistan region leader Massoud Barzani.
The Abdi-Barzani talks focused on the need to support U.S. efforts to stop Turkey from attacking the Self-Defense Forces through Iraqi Kurdistan’s mediation in exchange for guarantees for the withdrawal of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) rebels. It became.
The possibility of Peshmerga Rojava forces entering SDF areas to protect them was also discussed, and the importance of Kurdish reconciliation in forming a unified Kurdish reference organization that includes all parties operating in northeastern Syria. Gender was emphasized.
At the Abdi-Barzani talks, they agreed to send a united Kurdish delegation to Damascus to meet with Syria’s new rulers.
The meeting comes after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Michael Kurilla visited and met with a U.S.-occupied base in Syria, where U.S. President-elect Donald Trump confirmed continued support for the Kurds. was held at the same time. He will discuss the outlook for the war against ISIS in Syria and “efforts to prevent the emergence of terrorist groups” with Self-Defense Forces officials.
At a hearing by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary of State candidate Marco Rubio also reiterated President Trump’s support for the Self-Defense Forces.
Rubio noted that the Trump administration will urge Turkey not to engage in any hostilities against the Kurds in Syria, adding that one reason Washington can dismantle ISIS is because the Kurds “protect the organization’s prisons.” He argued that this was the case.
Rubio further asserted that their main objective is to prevent Syria from becoming a “refuge for ISIS” and the need to ensure that Syrian territory is not used by Iran “to spread its intentions.” emphasized.
The SDF commander’s visit to Erbil comes days after Barzani’s special envoy, Hamid al-Darbandi, met with representatives of the Syrian autonomous government and the Kurdish National Council in the name of promoting Kurdish class unity.
In a post on X, Mr. Abdi said that the positions of the Self-Defense Forces and the Kurdish region of Iraq are the same, and that he aims to advance “peaceful dialogue with Damascus to guarantee the rights of the Kurdish people.” insisted.
During Michael Kurira’s visit to Al-Hawl IDP camp, he called for increased international efforts to return ISIS families to their home countries for rehabilitation and integration.
The US reassurance confirms Washington’s opposition to Turkey’s policy of using the collapse of the Assad regime to eliminate Kurdish groups in both Syria and Turkey.
A worsening of the conflict between the US and Turkey over the SDF is foreshadowed by the intensification of Turkish airstrikes on Ayn al-Arab (Kobani), the Manbij countryside, near Sarin and Tishrin dams, and even on the Syrian city of Qamishli. It is.
Turkey’s increased pressure on the new U.S. administration to abandon the SDF comes as Washington addresses concerns about cooperating with Syria’s new regime to control ISIS prisons and camps. did. The US government believes this is important to ensure that ISIS does not take advantage of the security vacuum.
Coordination continues between the SDF and the al-Julani government regarding the situation in northeastern Syria, reportedly after the opening of the Syrian Democratic Council headquarters in Damascus.
“The new government hopes to reach a peaceful solution to resolve its differences with the SDF,” said Ahmed al-Darati, leader of the al-Julani government, adding that “a military solution is not possible.” would be the last option on the table.”
It is noteworthy that Siyamand Ali, head of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units Media Center, denied that negotiations had taken place with the al-Julani government regarding “classified files on ISIS detainees, their families, etc.”
Siyamand Ali pointed out that such files “need a comprehensive review to ensure that they are consistent with the interests of the parties involved.” Future decisions will be carefully considered to ensure regional stability. ”
Furthermore, in northeastern Syria, there are “26 prisons that hold more than 12,000 detainees who fought for ISIS, from 55 countries, the majority from Syria and Iraq.” “It is,” he clarified.
Undoubtedly, the Julani government’s position has so far been in line with US and Israeli priorities, especially regarding plans to dismantle the Axis of Resistance and encircle it in Lebanon, Palestine and, most likely, Syria. It intersects with matters. An important main purpose of the recent invasion of Lebanon.
Clearly, America’s hegemonic ambitions cannot be achieved without a strategic shift in Syria. Therefore, it was and still is necessary to replace Syria’s position since the Camp David Accords (1978), as Syria has long been a strategic depth for all resistance movements.