Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said efforts had been underway for some time to reach a ceasefire, noting that the current truce was implemented “at the request of the US military.”
“We are ready to implement the agreement in the near term, and there is understanding on many issues,” Abdi said in remarks to the Kurdish Ronahi TV channel. “We will use the truce period to make tangible progress on the Dec. 18 agreement.”
He explained that, under the agreement, government forces would not enter Kurdish-majority areas, while SDF institutions would be integrated into state institutions.
He added that Damascus had been asked not to enter the city and had agreed, expressing hope that the commitment would be upheld. Abdi said any solution for Kobani and Qamishli must also include Ras al-Ayn and Afrin.
Abdi said negotiations with Damascus were continuing under international sponsorship, with the involvement of the United States at political and military levels, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron.
He stressed that the talks should not be considered a final agreement, adding that international efforts to de-escalate would succeed as long as Damascus honored its commitments and no “unacceptable” conditions were imposed.
He said the SDF remained ready to implement the Dec. 18 agreement with Damascus within a short period, noting that names had been proposed for the posts of deputy defense minister and governor of Hasakah, though no final list had yet been agreed.
Meanwhile, the SDF said on Monday that heavy clashes had erupted with Syrian government-affiliated factions southeast of Kobani, after attacks launched at dawn.
The fighting continued, particularly in the town of Jalbiya, amid reinforcements including tanks and armored vehicles and intensive Turkish drone activity. Syria’s Defense Ministry accused the SDF of violating the ceasefire and launching more than 25 drone attacks on army positions around Kobani.
