Exclusive - Syrian Democratic Forces Chief: We are Ready to Cooperate with Arab Forces

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters ride on vehicles in the north of Raqqa city, Syria. (Reuters)
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters ride on vehicles in the north of Raqqa city, Syria. (Reuters)
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Exclusive - Syrian Democratic Forces Chief: We are Ready to Cooperate with Arab Forces

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters ride on vehicles in the north of Raqqa city, Syria. (Reuters)
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters ride on vehicles in the north of Raqqa city, Syria. (Reuters)

Mazloum Abdi is the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces. Originally from the town of Ain al-Arab (Kobane) in northern Syria, he leads a force of 60,000 troops and recently held a lengthy meeting with Brett McGurk, the US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.

Abdi said the meeting discussed President Donald Trump’s intention to withdraw the US troops from Syria and the SDF’s willingness to cooperate with Arab countries that might send troops to fight within the Coalition, in case the US withdrew.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Abdi said: “Officially, there is no decision to withdraw the US troops from Syria, but President Trump proposed the matter to members of his government for discussion. We have information that the administration is discussing his proposal and the possibility of withdrawing troops or not.”

“The US and the Coalition countries came to Syria to fight ISIS. The latter has not been eliminated completely, and there are sleeping cells in the liberated areas that continue to constitute a threat. There also remain pledges made by the US and the Coalition to the liberated areas and cities to rebuild and promote peace and stability,” the commander stated.

Asked about the possibility of deploying other forces in case of US withdrawal, Abdi replied: “There is nothing official to date, but countries have shown initial approval for sending their forces to Syria as part of the international coalition.”

“We are working with the Coalition to expel terrorism from Syria. We have no problem if Arab forces joined the alliance and we will cooperate with them,” he stressed.

The SDF commander noted that since the end of 2014 and the announcement of the anti-ISIS coalition, he had held several meetings with the US side, which pledged to provide military and financial support to enable local governments in northern Syria to expel ISIS and successfully manage these areas.

As for his relation with McGurk, Abdi said: “Brett McGurk is the US president’s representative in the Coalition and a friend of the Kurdish people. He had expressed this in many meetings.”

He added that a few days ago, the two men held a long meeting and discussed the withdrawal of US forces from east of the Euphrates River.

“I understood from him that the proposal is in the decision-making and drafting stage. It is important for us that the United States and the Coalition countries implement their commitments to the forces that have fought and are still fighting ISIS. These commitments are promises they have made to the public,” he emphasized.

Asked whether France was able to assume the American role in northern Syria, Abdi noted that the United States was the main force in the Coalition.

“But I do not think the size of the French military presence is comparable to that of the US,” he continued.

“[French] President [Emmanuel] Macron expressed his desire to expand the participation of his country’s forces in the Coalition and Britain showed a similar desire. These two countries contributed significantly to the war against ISIS,” he added.

As for the areas controlled by ISIS on the northern bank of the Euphrates, Abdi said: “ISIS elements currently control an area of about 10,000 square kilometers, which is equivalent to the area of Lebanon; stretching from the south of Al-Hol and Dasheheh in the province of Hasakeh, to the Euphrates along the Syrian-Iraqi border. They still constitute a danger.”

When asked why he believed ISIS has not been defeated yet in those areas, he replied: “Turkey is involved with ISIS, whose elements are engaged in proxy wars to implement Turkish agendas in Syria.”

“When Turkey threatens to invade Manbij and the Kurdish areas under the control of our forces, it will execute these threats through ISIS terrorists,” he stated.



Saudi-US Business Council: Trump’s Visit Marks New Chapter in Partnership

Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Saudi-US Business Council: Trump’s Visit Marks New Chapter in Partnership

Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE is being seen as a milestone, with its primary focus on economics, investment, and strategic deal-making.

Accompanying him is an unprecedented delegation of US business leaders and CEOs from major sectors including finance, banking, cryptocurrency, technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality. These leaders are seeking to open new investment horizons, forge partnerships, and follow Trump’s lead in crafting “win-win” deals that strengthen bilateral commercial ties.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Charles Hallab, Chairman of the Saudi-US Business Council, said that Trump’s choice of Saudi Arabia as his first international destination signals the beginning of a new era in relations between the United States, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region, and the broader Middle East.

“Beyond the warm welcome and political discussions, this visit will feature the announcement of new business deals and a celebration of the success of previous agreements,” he said. “More importantly, it marks the start of a deeper phase of economic cooperation and private-sector engagement between the two countries. The agreements set to be signed will significantly strengthen these ties and open doors to diverse investment opportunities.”

Driving Business Forward

Hallab, who is also the founder of Barrington Global, explained that the Saudi-US Business Council is playing an active role in this visit. “Our members and partners are fully engaged in the Investment Forum at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. There is considerable anticipation surrounding the major deals to be announced, and I can confirm that several significant agreements and new bilateral initiatives will be unveiled,” he said.

He added that interest spans numerous sectors—from defense, aerospace, and technology to newer areas like education, tourism, culture, and quality of life.

He said: “American business leaders are enthusiastic about forming partnerships with Saudi counterparts. President Trump is also keen to attract nearly $1 trillion in Saudi investments to the United States. This mutual interest shows that both sides are committed not only to commercial exchange but to meaningful, strategic collaboration.”

Hallab noted that this year’s investment forum stands out from those held in the past. “There is a new energy—an unprecedented focus on investments that align with the long-term economic goals of both nations. It’s no longer about short-term returns. Investments are being evaluated based on their broader impact, sustainability, and alignment with national visions such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”

He explained that Saudi investors are looking for opportunities in the US that make sense within this broader strategy—not just financial gains, but partnerships that advance their long-term objectives. “I’m very optimistic. The pieces are falling into place in a way that serves both countries’ goals, which is exactly what we at the Business Council aim to promote—mutual benefit and shared growth.”

The Political Dimension

When asked about the role of politics, including negotiations with Iran and potential ceasefires in Gaza, Hallab acknowledged their influence. “We closely monitor political developments as they inevitably impact business decisions. But Trump’s visit highlights Saudi Arabia’s rising global stature, both economically and diplomatically.”

He praised the remarkable progress of Vision 2030, especially in terms of regulatory reform, anti-corruption efforts, and economic diversification, saying: “Having worked in the region for nearly 30 years, I’ve never seen changes of this scale and speed. Today, unemployment is under 7%, women make up 34% of the workforce, and over half of Saudi GDP comes from the non-oil sector. Saudi Arabia has emerged as a dynamic, diversified economy and a global tourism destination.”

Hallab concluded: “We at the Saudi-US Business Council are proud to contribute to this transformation and are committed to deepening our shared economic future.”