It is the US making demands of Damascus through it’s Kurdish proxies. The reality of this fact is made obvious to all by the presence of US Coalition Representatives standing alongside the SDF as the demand is made.Brigadier General Nicholas Pond of the US-led coalition speaks at the first annual conference of the SDF in Syria’s northeast city of Hasakah, Aug. 24, 2019.Kurdistan24
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Saturday, in the presence of representatives from the US-led coalition, urged dialogue between the Syrian government to and local Kurdish officials during the group's first annual conference in the northeast city of Hasakah.“We call on Damascus to negotiate with representatives of the self-administration and the SDF and to prioritize a political solution, recognizing the self-administration and the rights of the Kurdish people in Syria,” SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi said in a speech.
Passing over most of the rubbish about ISIS and the alleged Kurdish fight against them. Reports of KurdIShIS cooperation are spread all through this blog, spanning years and years.
Abdi further stated that the Turkish attack on Afrin has negatively affected the SDF's campaign against the group's (ISIS) militants."We affirm that Afrin is an important step for the success of the peace process between us and Turkey," said the commander. "The return of Afrin to its people is one of our main points. Without this, there will be no peace in Syria."“Turkish threats hamper the efforts of our forces and of the international coalition to defeat the Islamic State," he said.
Brigadier General Nicholas Pond of the International Coalition for Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTFOIR) also spoke, confirming that the coalition remains committed to supporting the SDF in the ongoing fight and stability efforts as well. He also warned Turkey against launching operations in northeast Syria.“Uncoordinated military activity will undermine our shared interests,” he said, and mentioned the proposed buffer zone in the area.
“The United States and Turkey will plan and implement a security mechanism from a joint coordination center,” he continued. "It will be implemented in stages. It will allow the coalition and you, our partners, to remain focused on achieving an enduring defeat of the Islamic State."
Will plan? As in it's not a plan as of yet? Of course you knew that already!
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Turkey & U.S. Disagree On Safe Zone- Because There is NO Agreement.
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There is NO Agreement on a US/Turkish “safe zone” in Syria
General Pond further explained, “This prevents a security vacuum from emerging and addresses the security concerns of our NATO ally.”
General Pond doesn't share Turkish security concerns. That fact is obvious as General Pond stands astride known terrorists. Any safe zone implementation will be a time buying measure. Possibly connected to or dependent on this most recent demand on Damascus.Centcom is claiming, on twitter, the Kurdish militas have withdrawn from some of their facilities
File photo inc with article from Yeni Safak
"The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) -- a label used by the YPG/PKK terrorist group -- have begun withdrawing in northeast Syria and demolished their military fortifications, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Friday"
I'm more interested in the completion of their withdrawal. We've all read reports of withdrawals beginning that never happen or are never completed. Think of Trump's claim late last year?
"The move comes after the defense chiefs of Turkey and the U.S. agreed to launch the first phase of a safe zone plan in northern Syria on Wednesday.
“Within 24 hours of the phone call between U.S. SECDEF and Turkish MINDEF to discuss security in northeast Syria, the SDF destroyed military fortifications, Aug. 22,” CENTCOM said on Twitter.
“This demonstrates SDF's commitment to support the implementation of the security mechanism framework.”
In a phone call Wednesday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper agreed to launch the first phase of the Syria safe zone plan as of Aug. 21
Akar said a safe zone east of the Euphrates River in Syria should be established within the framework of the principles set out in the calendar without delay, the Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement"
Complete withdrawal has not yet occurred. The safe zone has not yet been established.An unfolding event.