ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Mazloum Abdi, General Commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), applauded late Friday the US decision to allow foreign investment in northeast Syria (Rojava), saying they welcome all companies to invest there.
“We appreciate the US General License for #AANES areas to rebuild infrastructure and support our economy, a step that will counter ISIS and give hope to all Syrians. We welcome all companies to invest here,” said Abdi in a tweet, referring to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (NES or AANES).
The US Department of the Treasury on Thursday issued an authorization allowing “activities in certain economic sectors” in Syria's non-regime-held areas in the northeast and northwest of Syria.
The decision permits activities in 12 different fields, such as energy, trade, and health among a variety of others in the area.
Washington issued crippling economic sanctions against the Syrian government as a result of its war crimes and atrocities committed against civilians and protestors since the Syrian civil war began over a decade ago.
Turkey, which sees Kurdish fighters in Rojava as foes due to their alleged organic links with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has carried out a number of military operations against the SDF in recent years and frequently attacks them with artillery, jets and drones.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Friday that they “cannot accept US lifting sanctions in Syria’s YPG-held regions.” The People’s Protection Units (YPG) is the backbone of the SDF.
The US has about 900 soldiers in Rojava and it has helped the SDF in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and trained its fighters.
