Russia has been pressuring the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to merge with the Syrian regime government forces.
The revelation was made as more military reinforcements continued to be deployed to northern Syria amid Turkey’s threat to carry out a new offensive against the Kurdish SDF.
Commander of the SDF Mazloum Abdi had met with commander of the Russian forces in Syria Alexander Chaiko on June 10 for talks on military affairs, border security and Russia’s suggestion to merge the SDF with the regime forces.
Kurdish sources said Abdi reminded Chaiko that the government forces are deployed in regions held by the SDF under an agreement reached with the Kurdish force and Moscow.
He stressed that the number of forces will remain the same and that they played the role of a buffer between the Turkish army and pro-Ankara Syrian factions.
SDF expressed its readiness to coordinate with and fight alongside the government forces against any Turkish incursion, but there is no need to send additional troops, added Abdi, according to the sources.
He also underscored the need for Syria to use its air defenses against Turkish jets.
Moreover, Abdi urged Russia to bolster its forces in the cities of Manbij and Ain al-Arab (Kobani) in eastern Aleppo.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had threatened to target these areas should his forces carry out a new offensive in Syria.
Russian forces are already deployed in small numbers in these areas.
Abdi said that Russia, as a guarantor of the de-escalation agreements, should prevent any side from exploiting the Turkish threats to make gains on the ground – a reference to government efforts to consolidate its grip over all Syrian territories.
