Mazlum Abdi, Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), recently spoke to Hawar News Agency (ANHA), shedding light on critical issues concerning Syria’s ongoing conflict, governance, and military developments. In his remarks, Abdi emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation among Syrian factions in order to secure lasting peace and stability in the region.
One of the key highlights of his interview was the confirmation that he and Syrian leader Ahmad al-Shara had agreed on the necessity of a single, unified Syrian army. Abdi stated that both parties were aligned in their vision for Syria’s future, aiming for a united nation without separatist intentions. “We are strategically thinking about a unified Syria. We want a united Syria, and we have no intention of separatism,” Abdi clarified.
Here are some excerpts from his comments:
On Violations and Instability
“We hear about violations from some circles. These violations are disturbing the stability of Syrian regions. The economic situation is bad and getting worse. Syria is still under siege, and the economic blockade on the country is not lifted yet. International powers are not fully convinced about lifting the blockade because the country has not yet adopted the necessary new governance form. Moreover, responsible powers still have no clear stance on whether this governance is appropriate. These approaches towards the new administration are raising concerns about Syria’s political future. The main concern is the possibility of continued attacks on Syrian territories.”
On Proposals to Stop Attacks
“We have made proposals to stop attacks on Kobani. Now, we have proposals to stop attacks on the Tishrin Dam and the Qereqozak region. We are particularly working through the United States on this issue. Some groups are showing a positive approach to stopping the attacks, and we welcome all proposals to stop the attacks.”
On the New Administration’s Role in Stopping Attacks
“The new administration sees itself as responsible for all of Syria and is engaging with us for joint work and dialogue on Syria’s future. Therefore, it is the new administration’s duty to stop these attacks. These attacks are against internal and external efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis.
To prevent further attacks and end the war, we have reached an agreement with the other side regarding the withdrawal of our forces from Manbij. We facilitated the Turkish army’s advance to the Suleyman Shah Tomb. According to our agreement, the Tishrin Dam was in an area that the ‘National Army’ could not reach. The agreement extended to the rural areas of Manbij. However, they attacked the Tishrin Dam and the Qereqozak Bridge to encircle Kobani and attempted to reach the east of the Euphrates. Their aim was to control the Tishrin Dam, cross to the east of the Euphrates, and complete the siege of Kobani. Now, they have withdrawn to the west of the Euphrates. They are still trying to cross to the east. If their aim is to retake the Suleyman Shah Tomb, we might allow it. But if their efforts are the beginning of a new war in the region, we will definitely not allow it.”
On Their Intentions Regarding Separatism
Kobani explained their position in talks with Syrian leader al-Shara:
“We are essentially and strategically thinking about a unified Syria. We want a united Syria, and we have no intention of separatism. Many people are propagating that we are working to create two armies in Syria and a state within a state. This is not our intention at all. There is no fundamental difference between the two sides.”
They agreed that there should be only one army in Syria, with the SDF being part of it. However, discussions continue regarding the mechanism and implementation. The SDF has been in existence for 10 years and is a force composed of all components of Northern and Eastern Syria. The only issue they have not agreed on is the timeline for implementation. Currently, there are conflicts at the Tishrin Dam. This dam is a national institution and concerns all of Syria. Therefore, the issue should be resolved through the Damascus government. There is no contradiction between us, and the most important thing is that both sides are willing to engage in dialogue. Therefore, a patient arrangement is necessary, as acting quickly may lead to negative results.”
On Direct Talks with the Damascus Government
Regarding some statements from figures in the interim government, Kobani said, “For us, the most important comments are those of HTS leader Mr. Ahmad al-Shara. There are direct talks with HTS and the Damascus government. Some of us are traveling back and forth. Our relations are at a high level. I don’t think there is any contradiction between us regarding dialogue and continuing dialogue.”
