The so-called commander of U.S.-backed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Syria called on Monday for about 1,000 to 1,500 international forces to remain in Syria under the pretext to help fight Daesh and expressed hope that the United States, in particular, would halt plans for a total pullout.
The remarks by Mazloum Kobani, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is made up of PKK/YPG terrorists, followed talks with senior U.S. generals in Syria and offered perhaps the most comprehensive view to date of his requests for an enduring military assistance from the U.S.-led coalition."We would like to have air cover, air support and a force on the ground to coordinate with us," Kobani told a small group of reporters who travelled with the U.S. military to the talks at an airbase at an undisclosed location in northeast Syria.
Kobani said there was discussions about perhaps French and British troops supporting the SDF in Syria. But he stressed he also wanted at least "a partial group of American forces", who now number more than 2,000 in Syria, to stay as well.
"American forces must remain beside us," Kobani said through a translator.
U.S. Army General Joseph Votel, head of Central Command, said after talks with Kobani that he was still carrying out Trump's December order for a complete withdrawal of U.S. forces.
"We certainly understand what they would like us to do, but of course that's not the path we're on at this particular point," Votel told reporters.
Without a deal with the U.S.-led coalition, experts say Kobani may have to strike a deal with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
But Army Lieutenant General Paul LaCamera, who is the commander of the U.S.-led coalition battling Daesh in Iraq and Syria, cautioned on Sunday that the United States would be legally unable to support the SDF if they partnered with Assad or Assad's Russian backers.
Kobani said he was not seeking a military deal with Assad.
Perhaps sensing an opportunity to stoke doubt among the PKK, Assad warned on Sunday the United States would not protect those depending on it.
Turkey wants to set up a safe zone with logistical support from allies and says it should be cleared of the U.S.-backed YPG.
A possible mission east of the Euphrates, which Turkey’s leadership has been suggesting for months, would follow two successful cross-border Turkish operations into Syria since 2016 – Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch – both meant to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The YPG and PYD are its Syrian extensions.
