Syria
Mazloum Abdi (Kobani), commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), gives a press conference near the northeastern Syrian Hassakah province on October 24, 2019. Photo: AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The only one who can stop Turkey from continuing its invasion of northeastern Syria is US President Donald Trump, General Commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi has told Rudaw.
The commander added that SDF will not leave their people "defenseless" in the face of Turkey's onslaught in Rojava, the Kurdish name for northeast Syria.
Washington has shown a "weak stance" against the Turkish invasion, Abdi told Rudaw's Roj Eli Zalla on Tuesday.
However, Abdi said that "a single word” from Trump to Erdogan would stop the Turkey’s continued offensive, and Washington must clearly tell Ankara that they “cannot attack” Rojava.
“The US has to forcibly stop the Turks now," Abdi added.
Turkey and its Syrian proxies launched Operation Peace Spring, intended to clear a 32 km-deep zone of Kurdish forces in Northern Syria to resettle Arab Syrian refugees on October 9.
The operation commenced after Trump greenlighted the invasion following the withdrawal of US troops from the north of the country.
Fierce fighting ensued between the SDF and Turkish-backed Syrian forces, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians.
Ankara stuck two deals with the US and Russia which led to a ceasefire, which Turkey has been accused of violating.
The Kurdish military leader described the US-brokered ceasefire as unsuccessful and accused Turkey and their militia groups of not respecting the deals made with Washington and Moscow "for even an hour".
“The ceasefire was not a success. It was not implemented,” Abdi said.
Asked about the role of the Syrian government, Abdi downplayed their military capabilities.
"[The] Syrian government is not at a level to militarily prevent the tanks and warplanes of the Turks. They do not mean to use force to stop them. "
Syrian regime forces have been deployed to most border areas with Turkey following the deal with the SDF. They were attacked by pro-Turkey militants in late October, resulting in several deaths and 18 captured, who were later handed over to Russian military police.
Abdi rejected Erdogan's claims saying the SDF was present in areas of Tal Rafaat and (Sari Kani) Ras al-Ain.
“The Syrian Democratic Forces are not in these areas,” he said.
“The forces mentioned by Turkey are not there. They have not been there at all since the invasion of Afrin [in March 2018].”
The battle between the SDF and Turkish-backed Syrian forces is currently focused on Tel Tamr, which was not included in the recent deals made between the US, Russia Turkey. Describing the town as a “mini Syria”, Abdi said Turkey is targeting the multi-ethnic city.
"The Turkish state's goal is to control Tel Tamr because it is a strategic area. Tel Tamr is the mini version of Syria. There are Kurds, Christians and Arabs. Therefore, it is important for us to focus on it. "
Abdi also says Damascus has to be more open to dialogue with the Kurds to resolve the “Kurdish issue” in the country, and accept the presence of Kurdish areas.
“The important thing is that there are Kurds and Kurdish areas. The Syrian government has to accept this,” he told Zalla.
The importance of Kurdish unity in the area was also discussed.
The SDF commander described the current situation in Rojava as a “historic, sensitive phase” and added that without unity, the gains made over the past several years will be lost.”
“It is possible we could lose the achievements of the revolution. Things could go either way,” he told Rudaw.
“We call on Syrian Kurdish political parties to establish unity..for us to struggle together so that we come out successful for our people,” he added.
The SDF has spoken with all Kurdish parties in Syria, according to Abdi.
He hailed the role of both civilians and politicians in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for their displays of solidarity with Syrian Kurds.
“The stance of the people of South Kurdistan was very positive. They went out in support of the SDF, they rejected the invasion, they boycotted the Turkish economy. It makes us proud,” he said, adding that the “strong” support of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) was also appreciated.
Reporting by Roj Eli Zalla, additional reporting by Zhelwan Z.Wali
Translated by Karwan Faidhi
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