SDC’s Ahmed: Washington Rejects Any Turkish Attack Inside Syrian Territory

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is once again threatening to launch a new cross-border military operation in Syria against the remaining areas of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).

US armed forces, Russian forces and forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are deployed side by side in the areas run by the SDF and YPG.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Ilham Ahmed, the executive chief of the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), discussed the anticipated Turkish operation, the positions of major countries and the Damascus government, and the Astana track meetings.

The SDC is the political wing of the SDF, which is backed by a US-led international coalition.

When asked about a potential Turkish military operation at a time the Syria talks, sponsored by Russia, Turkey and Iran, are taking place in the Kazakh capital, Ahmed ruled out Ankara getting the green light to attack SDF territory in Syria.

“All the meetings of the Astana process did not bring the desired results for Syrians,” said Ahmed.

“We do not hope that Turkey will be given the green light to carry out its aggressive campaign against the Syrians in the Autonomous Administration (Rojava) areas,” she added.

“Russia, more than anyone else, knows that Turkey is trying to obtain approval to carry out its operation,” explained Ahmed, adding that Moscow is well aware that areas occupied by Turkey in Syria are turning into hotbeds of terrorism that fuel the Syrian crisis and civil war.

Regarding foreign opposition to the expected Turkish military operation, Ahmed noted that US diplomats had relayed Washington’s rejection of any such action.

“They told us that they are against any further military operation of Turkey inside Syrian territory,” said Ahmed.

“We hope that there will be more deterrent stances from Washington to the Turkish actions that endanger the security and stability of the entire region,” she added.

As for Russia deploying forces, Ahmed said: “So far, Russian forces have not deployed more soldiers on the ground. They have control checkpoints on the border with Turkey, and they are running ground and air patrols inside Syrian territory.”

“While we are seeking full coordination with Russian forces to repel potential Turkish attacks, Moscow is required to take additional measures to protect the borders,” affirmed Ahmed.

“Turkey announced to the world that its map includes the entire border strip with a depth of 30 km, so it does not matter if it is currently promoting the names of some areas,” said Ahmed about Erdogan’s threat against Tal Rifaat and Manbij in the northern countryside of Aleppo governorate.

Ahmed moved on to explain that Turkey is adopting a nibble-by-piece policy, but the largest Syrian cities are included in its military map under the pretext of combating terrorism and preserving the territorial integrity of Syria.

“It is necessary for the world to realize that satisfying Turkey at the expense of the Syrian people will only have a temporary benefit for the countries concerned, and it will birth irreversible losses, damages and mistakes,” she added.

Ahmed also spoke about resentment among Syrians displaced by Turkey from their homes in Daraa, Ghouta, Damascus, Hama, Homs and Idlib and resettled them in Afrin.

“They are against Turkish policies and are now refusing to stay in homes that do not belong to them,” said Ahmed about the feelings of those uprooted by Turkey and forced to relocate to settlement projects set up by Ankara.

Speaking about several messages sent by the SDC to the Syrian regime, Ahmed said: “There is nothing new in the positions of the Damascus government.”

Ahmed pointed out that Damascus can show responsibility in deterring Turkish aggression and protecting the country’s borders.

“We hope that there will be an understanding about the border protection mechanism, especially that Russian and regime forces are present on contact points, along the borders in Kobani, Manbij, Al-Arima and Tal Rifaat in the Aleppo countryside,” added Ahmed.

“Certainly, our SDF forces have the necessary measures to confront the Turkish aggression and its occupation project, and our people are different from what they were in the past, so the battle will not go as they expect, and it will not resemble the previous battles,” warned Ahmed.

However, Ahmed noted that such a war will also cause great damage to the entire international community.

“We do not seek war; Rather, we seek to preserve the stability of our regions, which have turned into safe and secure areas for all Syrians.”

Ahmed pointed out that about 5 million Syrians live in Rojava areas.

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.

SDC’s Ahmed: Washington Rejects Any Turkish Attack Inside Syrian Territory