Swedish delegation affirms support for North and East Syria Administration and Syrian Democratic Forces

HASAKAH, Syria — In a special message from Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ann Linde to the General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi, she expressed Sweden’s commitment to joint cooperation between Sweden and the SDF and the civil Syrian Democratic Council (SDC).

The message was delivered by Sweden’s Special Envoy for Syria Per Örnéus, who is currently visiting North and East Syria.

The Swedish delegation headed by Örnéus was received at the SDF Command headquarters Hasakah by General Commander Abdi, Commander of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) Nowruz Ahmed, spokesperson for the YPJ Nasreen Abdullah, SDF Public Relations Officer Redur Khalil, and several officials of the SDC.

Abdi welcomed the visiting delegation and praised Sweden’s support for North and East Syria and the SDF.

“The regions of North and East Syria have changed since my last visit in 2019,” said Örnéus. “Some of those areas that I visited in 2019, are today under Turkey’s control, and this is sad.”

The delegation discussed the continued coordination and cooperation between the SDF and the U.S.-led International Coalition to fight the remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS), in addition to the issue of ISIS detainees in the SDF prisons and their families detained in Al-Hol Camp.

The meeting also touched on the humanitarian and military support provided by the Kingdom of Sweden to North and East Syria and ways to strengthen their joint strategic relations and to improve the living conditions of the people of the region.