The Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced that it had agreed to a joint defense Russia-mediated plan with regime forces loyal to President Bashar Assad should Turkey launch an attack against northern Syria.
Turkey has for weeks been threatening to launch an operation against fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the People's Protection Units (YPG), a Syrian-Kurdish group it considers to be part of the PKK. The PKK is designated as terrorist by Ankara.
YPG spokesman Nouri Mahmoud said: “We are working and coordinating with Syrian officials to develop a defense plan to confront any Turkish aggression.”
He spoke of “positive developments” in this regard, adding that it was “pressing and vital” for the Syrian parties to agree on a final solution.
He called on the international coalition against ISIS, the United States and Russia to exert pressure on Turkey to prevent it from carrying out the offensive.
“We are in constant contact with the international coalition and Russia. We hope they will play an effective role in preserving the current relative stability and protecting the civilians in northeastern Syria,” said the spokesman.
The plan between the SDF and regime calls for forming a joint operations command room and exchanging field coordinates. It will allow the deployment of more regime forces in SDF regions.
Head of the SDF Media Center Farhad Shami described the agreement with the regime as more of a military understanding aimed at repelling any potential Turkish invasion.
In remarks to the press, he said 550 regime soldiers have arrived in SDF-held regions on Monday, effectively activating the understanding.
They deployed in the town of Ain Issa and the cities of al-Bab, Manbij and Ain al-Arab (Kobane).
The troops will fight alongside the SDF should Turkey go ahead with its threat to invade the area, added Shami.
