- विज्ञापन -
Damascus: Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has announced that his forces are open to establishing a “demilitarized zone” in the border city of Kobani in northern Aleppo. Abdi made this statement on social media platform X, indicating that the SDF is prepared to create a buffer area in Kobani, with security forces redeployed under U.S. supervision.
This proposal aims to address Turkey’s security concerns and promote lasting stability in the region. In a separate announcement, the SDF accused Turkey of gearing up for an offensive against Kobani, claiming that Turkish troops and allied fighters have positioned heavy weapons near the city.
U.S.-backed Kurdish forces recently withdrew from Manbij, a key city in northern Aleppo they had controlled since capturing it from ISIS in 2016. Earlier on Tuesday, the U.S. announced the brokered extension of a ceasefire between pro-Turkish fighters and Syrian Kurds in Manbij, while also seeking broader negotiations with Ankara.
The warning of a potential assault by Turkey on Kobani comes after Turkish-backed Islamist rebels recently overthrew Syrian President Bashar Assad. The ceasefire in Manbij has been renewed through the end of the week, with U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller highlighting the intent to extend it further.
Meanwhile, the SDF has claimed that Turkey is mobilizing significant forces and heavy weaponry around Kobani, preparing for an attack. Turkey accuses the SDF’s main component, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), of links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which both Turkey and the U.S. classify as a terrorist organization. Turkey has consistently expressed its intent to push Kurdish forces away from its southern border, conducting several military operations in northern Syria since 2016.
