02/12/2020

Syrian Democratic Forces General Commander Abdi criticizes international silence over Turkish attacks on North and East Syria

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — The General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi criticized the international silence over the systematic attacks on North and East Syria by Turkey and its Syrian National Army (SNA) proxies.

In an interview with Swiss Radio, General Commander Abdi spoke about the reality of the security situation in the region and negative effects of the continuous Turkish attacks on the campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS).

On Monday evening, the Syriac Military Council (Mawthbo Folhoyo Suryoyo, MFS) confirmed to SyriacPress that their forces positioned around Tel Tamer thwarted an infiltration attempt by Turkish-backed militants of the Syrian National Army (SNA) on the Syriac–Assyrian village of Timar (Umm al-Kayf)

Researcher Amy Austin Holmes, found that Turkey and the Turkish-backed SNA violated the ceasefire agreement signed in late October 2019 over 800 times as of October 2020.

Abdi criticized the international community, especially Turkey’s fellow NATO members, for their reluctance to stand up and prevent Turkish aggression. The people of the region remain alone in the face of Turkish attacks despite fight ISIS, said Abdi.

Abdi also criticized the irresponsibility of countries who cheered on the SDF in its fight to liberate North and East Syria from ISIS yet have done little to rebuild the region, stressing that the lack of support for reconstruction will pave the way for ISIS’s return.

The region is in desperate need of increased deradicalization programs and Abdi called on more international resources be allocated for the purpose.