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Blinken, Abbas Hold 'Tense' Meeting in Ramallah

Riot police in front of demonstrators in Ramallah protesting the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (Reuters)
Riot police in front of demonstrators in Ramallah protesting the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (Reuters)
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Blinken, Abbas Hold 'Tense' Meeting in Ramallah

Riot police in front of demonstrators in Ramallah protesting the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (Reuters)
Riot police in front of demonstrators in Ramallah protesting the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting in Ramallah that the Washington supports "tangible measures" for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Blinked stressed that the Palestinian Authority (PA) needs to make reforms in governmental and security structures for effective governance in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the future.

Palestinian sources confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Blinken focused on reforms but was met with a barrage of difficult questions.

The Palestinian side was adamant about addressing the war in Gaza, Washington's role in stopping it, post-war plans, Gaza governance, ongoing conflicts in the West Bank, settler violence, Israeli plans to displace the Palestinians, and the fate of PA frozen funds in Tel Aviv.

According to the sources, Blinken was questioned about the funds held by Israel and how Washington could enforce its vision on more challenging issues if it couldn't secure the release of those funds, which caused tension in the meeting because it reflected Palestinian officials' skepticism about Washington's ability to implement its stated goals in the future

The relationship between the PA and the US administration became tense because of Washington's position on the war, disagreements about reform, and dealing with post-war phase.

Abbas stressed the need to immediately stop the genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, so that a political solution based on international legitimacy could be implemented, starting with the State of Palestine gaining full UN membership.

He also called for an international peace conference to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, which achieves peace and security for all.

The Palestinian President warned of the Israeli measures aimed at displacing Palestinian people from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, including Jerusalem, following statements issued by Israeli ministers and officials, which call for the expulsion of the Palestinian people from their land.

He stressed the complete rejection of the displacement of any Palestinian citizen, whether in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, adding that "we will not allow it to happen."

Abbas reiterated that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the Palestinian state, noting that it is not possible to accept or deal with the plans of the occupation authorities to separate it or cut off any part of it.

Palestinian funds must be released immediately, because their withholding violates agreements and international law, noted the President.

In return, Blinken tried to explain the US plan based on launching a post-war political path, aiming to establish a Palestinian state and normalization with more Arab countries.

He informed Abbas that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged that there would be no displacement of Gazans while discussions continued regarding the day after the war with the Israelis and regional leaders.

The Secretary indicated Washington ultimately wanted a "qualified Palestinian authority" to rule the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

- Arab Peace Initiative

The US is said to be floating the Arab Peace Initiative that Saudi Arabia sponsored more than 20 years ago as a possible framework to end the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Israeli Channel 12 reported, citing a source, that Washington is floating the Arab Peace Initiative that Saudi Arabia sponsored more than 20 years ago as a possible framework to end the war against Hamas in Gaza.

The 2002 initiative offers Israel normalized ties with the entire Arab world once it reaches a two-state solution to its conflict with the Palestinians.

The report stated that the Biden administration says such an agreement would be in the interests of the United States, Israel, and the region's countries.

Blinken told the Israelis that they must move towards a diplomatic horizon and that images and footage of the war in Gaza are leading to "radicalization" in Mideast countries.

He asked Israeli officials to stop harming civilians and move entirely to the third stage, release the Palestinians' money, and develop a plan for the day after the war.

Israel has refused to hand over the Gaza Strip to the Authority so far and is seeking to form local bodies to manage civil affairs while retaining security responsibility.

In Tel Aviv, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Blinken that Israel will always act according to the Israeli interest.

"Therefore we will continue to fight with all our strength to destroy Hamas," Smotrich stated.

- Smotrich Challenges Washington

Smotrich rejected calls to release withheld tax revenues and frozen funds to transfer money to the Palestinian Authority.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said that Smotrich's rejection of the US request is a blatant challenge to the administration to translate its positions into tangible actions.

The Ministry said in a statement that the extremist Smotrich brags about supporting settlement and the terrorism and crimes of the settlers.

It said the Israeli far-right minister does not recognize the rights of Palestinians and steals their lands, describing him as a staunch enemy of peace.

The Ministry wondered if Washington would be able to force Israel to protect civilians and revive the peace process if it can't force Tel Aviv to release the Palestinian-frozen funds.

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Arab World

SDF Commander to Asharq Al-Awsat: Syria Must Remain United

Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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SDF Commander to Asharq Al-Awsat: Syria Must Remain United

Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi revealed that coordination had been taking place on the ground since the second day of the Deterrence of Aggression operation, waged by the Military Operations Command led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, against the Syrian regime.

He added however that direct negotiations have not been launched with the HTS, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, which had ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on December 8.

In an interview to Asharq Al-Awsat, Abdi stressed that the SDF was prepared to merge with new Syrian army, but only after reaching a negotiated agreement on the “suitable framework”.

Moreover, he underlined the need for “Syria to remain a united country.” The shape of its new political system should be decided by the people and constitutional discussions.

*Were you aware of the operations of the Syrian factions before December 27? Did you ever predict that Assad’s regime would fall in ten days?

We had signals that the armed factions were launching a military operation against the former regime. This was expected, but what was not expected was the rapid collapse of the army without putting up a fight. We were also surprised that their allies, who had stood by it throughout the Syrian revolution, were so quick to abandon it. I believe we will find out more in the future about what happened behind the scenes of the operation.

*Was there any coordination or communication with the HTS during those ten days of fighting?

No coordination was taking place with the HTS before the operation. We did get in contact on the second day to avert a clash between our forces in some Aleppo neighborhoods and to evacuate refugees from the Tal Rifaat camps that had been attacked by Türkiye-backed factions. This field coordination is still ongoing.

Syrian Kurds wave independence-era flags during a rally in support of the SDF in the northeastern city of Qamishli, on December 19, 2024. (AFP)

*What will Syria look like after Assad’s collapse? Will you take part in negotiations with the HTS over the shape of the state and its political system?

We have not yet launched direct negotiations with the HTS, but we believe that Syria should be a decentralized democratic state where the country’s diversity will be safeguarded by the constitution and the rights of all segments of society, including the Kurds, will be ensured.

We are not seeking Syria’s division and we are prepared to play our role in building and in partnering with the government that will rule the country. Syria has witnessed a lot of bloodshed. We are urgently calling for comprehensive direct dialogue to pave the way for the era of peace so that Syria can forge ahead and rebuild itself.

*Do the Kurds wants a federal or confederate Syria?

Above all else, it is imperative that Syria remain united. We believe that a lot of discussions will be held over the shape of the ruling system. This will be up to the people to decide and up to the constitutional discussions.

*What are the SDF’s conditions should negotiations be held over the regions controlled by the autonomous administration?

We don’t want to call them conditions, but there are some issues that are imposed by the reality on the ground and that should be taken into consideration. The priority lies in ending the military operations throughout Syria, especially the attacks carried out by Türkiye and its affiliated factions against the SDF. This will allow us, as Syrians, to discuss the future of our country without foreign interference of dictates. The regions controlled by the autonomous administration are Syrian and their representatives should have their voices heard and they should be part of discussions on building the future.

About the country’s resources, they belong to all the Syrian people. We are committed to a future where the resources are fairly and equally distributed by the state to all Syrians so that everyone can enjoy stability and prosperity. Attention must be given to regions that had been marginalized by the Assad regime.

*Leader of the new administration in Damascus Ahmed al-Sharaa had called on all Syrian armed factions to lay down their arms. Some have already done so; what is the SDF’s position on this?

The Syria of the future must have a unified national army that defends the country and its citizens. This is not up for debate. The SDF’s weapons will go to the army and the SDF will merge with the army. However, for this to happen, we need to have direct negotiations to reach a framework over how this can be implemented.

*There are growing Kurdish concerns over the city of Ain al-Arab, or Kobane. What are the SDF’s plans should it be attacked?

The threat by the Türkiye-backed factions against Kobane remains very serious. We are working with our partners in the US-led international coalition to ease the tensions there. That is why we proposed that the region be removed of all weapons. This will ease the concerns that Türkiye has spoken about. Türkiye, however, has not yet responded to this proposal and it continues to amass its forces. The truth is the attack on Kobane will be a disaster and will pose a major threat to the stability of the region. We hope it won’t happen.

*Are there direct or indirect contacts or negotiations with Ankara over the Syrian regions bordering Türkiye?

Indirect contacts are taking place with Türkiye through our partners in the international coalition. However, we want to hold direct negotiations to ease Türkiye’s fears, but Ankara has so far not expressed its readiness for such talks even though we are.

*Regional and international powers have constantly demanded that you sever ties with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). What do you say to these demands?

We have previously said that the SDF does not have organizational ties to the PKK. Some of its members have joined us in battles against ISIS. We fought side by side, but they will be removed once the military operations end and once the mechanism to do so is in place. The decision making in northern and eastern Syria has long been in the hands of the people and it will remain so. There are no justifications for these fears.

Syrian Kurds wave independence-era flags during a demonstration in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the northeastern city of Qamishli, on December 19, 2024. (AFP)

*Will the SDF allow the Syrian members of the Peshmerga in Iraqi Kurdistan return to Syria?

We are talking about building a national Syrian army, the laying down of arms and merging the factions with the army. If members of the Peshmerga return home from abroad, then they will naturally play a role in building their nation.

*What is your assessment of the threat posed by ISIS in Syria?

Combating ISIS is a priority for the Syrian people and region. The SDF is ready to work with the new Damascus government in operations against the organization and in combating terrorism.

We are committed to ensuring the security of our neighbors. Syria will not pose a threat to their safety and stability. We are prepared to work with the central government to put in place measures that guarantee that no non-Syrian actors will threaten Syria and its neighbors’ security. We are also ready, in principle, to hand over the responsibility of monitoring the border to the Damascus authorities according to an agreed framework.

*Are you planning on visiting Damascus?

Of course. Damascus is our capital, and we will visit it when the conditions are right.