عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Interviews

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)
TT
20
TT

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.

Most Viewed

 
Interviews

Syrian Minister of Economy: Sanctions Relief Tied to Reforms

Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 
Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 
TT
20
TT

Syrian Minister of Economy: Sanctions Relief Tied to Reforms

Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 
Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 

Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar stated that while the serious lifting of US sanctions on Syria could gradually yield positive results for the country’s economy, expectations must remain realistic, as rebuilding trust in the Syrian economy is essential.

In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Shaar described the removal of sanctions as a necessary first step toward eliminating the obstacles that have long hindered Syria’s economic recovery. Although the immediate impact will likely be limited, he noted that in the medium term, improvements in trade activity and the resumption of some banking transactions could help create a more favorable environment for investment and production.

The breakthrough came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman successfully facilitated a thaw in relations between Washington and Damascus, ultimately convincing the US president to lift sanctions on Syria. During his historic visit to Saudi Arabia last Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced he would order the removal of all sanctions on Syria to “give it a chance to thrive”—a move seen as a major opportunity for the country to begin a new chapter.

Al-Shaar cautioned, however, that Syrians should not expect an immediate improvement in living standards. “We need to manage the post-sanctions phase with an open and pragmatic economic mindset,” he said, stressing that real progress will only come if sanctions relief is accompanied by meaningful economic reforms, increased transparency, and support for the business climate.

He added that Syrians will begin to feel the difference when the cost of living declines and job opportunities grow—an outcome that requires time, planning, and stability.

According to Al-Shaar, the first tangible benefits of lifting sanctions are likely to be seen in the banking and trade sectors, through facilitated financial transfers, improved access to essential goods, and lower transportation and import costs. “We may also see initial interest from investors who were previously deterred by legal restrictions,” he said. “But it’s important to emphasize that political openness alone isn’t enough—there must also be genuine economic openness from within.”

He also underscored the importance of regional support, saying that any positive role played by neighboring countries in encouraging the US to lift sanctions and normalize ties with Damascus “must be met with appreciation and cooperation.” Al-Shaar emphasized that robust intra-Arab economic relations should form a cornerstone of any reconstruction phase. “We need an economic approach that is open to the Arab world, and we could see strategic partnerships that reignite the national economy—especially through the financing of major infrastructure and development projects.”

When asked whether he expects a surge in Arab and foreign investment following the lifting of sanctions, Al-Shaar responded: “Yes, there is growing interest in investing in Syria, and several companies have already entered the market. But investors first and foremost seek legal certainty and political guarantees.” He explained that investment is not driven solely by the removal of sanctions, but by the presence of an encouraging institutional environment. “If we can enhance transparency, streamline procedures, and ensure stability, we will gradually see greater capital inflows—especially in the service, industrial, and agricultural sectors.”

As for which countries may play a significant role in Syria’s reconstruction, Al-Shaar said: “Countries with long-term interests in regional stability will be at the forefront of the rebuilding process. But we must first rebuild our internal foundations and develop an economic model capable of attracting partners under balanced conditions—ones that protect economic sovereignty and promote inclusive development.”

The minister concluded by stressing that lifting sanctions, while significant, is not the end of the crisis. “Rather, it may mark the beginning of a new phase—one filled with challenges,” he said. “The greatest challenge isn’t securing funding, but managing resources wisely, upholding the principles of productivity, justice, and transparency. We need a proactive—not reactive—economy. We must restore the value of work and implement policies that put people at the center of development. Only then can we say we are beginning to emerge from the bottleneck.”

Last Wednesday, Riyadh hosted a landmark meeting between the Crown Prince, Trump, and Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa—marking the first meeting between a Syrian and a US president since Hafez Al-Assad met Bill Clinton in Geneva in 2000.

Most US sanctions on Syria were imposed after the outbreak of the country’s conflict in 2011. These targeted deposed President Bashar Al-Assad, members of his family, and various political and economic figures. In 2020, additional sanctions came into effect under the Caesar Act, targeting Assad’s inner circle and imposing severe penalties on any entity or company dealing with the Syrian regime. The Act also sanctioned Syria’s construction, oil, and gas sectors and prohibited US funding for reconstruction—while exempting humanitarian organizations operating in the country.