Robert Ford, former US ambassador to Syria, speaking to Rudaw on January 31, 2024. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A former United States Ambassador to Syria on Wednesday told Rudaw that Washington’s policy in the war-torn country has been a “huge failure,” stressing that the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) must not rely on US protection in case of an American withdrawal.
“American policy in Syria has been a huge failure, a huge failure. I am partly responsible. There are many other American officials that are also responsible,” Robert Ford, former US ambassador to Syria, told Rudaw’s Nwenar Fatih, citing Washington’s failure to find a political solution to the Syrian civil war.
Ford described a US withdrawal from Syria as a “possibility” but predicted that it would not be soon, as Washington does not want to leave the country with “the appearance of a defeat.”
“If they leave, for example next month, everyone will understand that they left because of pressure from militias aligned with Iran, who have been attacking American bases in Syria. The [Joe] Biden administration will prefer not to withdraw from Syria with the appearance of a defeat,” he added.
Iran-backed militias have struck US bases in Syria with rockets and drones at least 98 times since October 17, in condemnation of Washington’s support to Israel in its war on Gaza. US forces have responded with several retaliatory strikes.
The retired US diplomat warned the Rojava administration against relying on protection from the US after the American withdrawal from Syria, advising the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to strengthen their position in the country and engage in discussions with the Syrian government while US forces are still there.
“It is important for the leaders in Qamishli to recognize that they will need to make concessions to the Syrian government in the negotiations,” said Ford, stressing that the Rojava administration needs to reach an agreement with Damascus on some technical issues prior to the US withdrawal.
Kurds in Syria have been Washington’s main allies on the ground in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) since the group seized control of swathes of land in Syria and Iraq in 2014. The US has provided ammunition and military support to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
During the Arab Spring protests in 2011, Syrians rose up against the country’s longtime President Bashar al-Assad. Protests soon turned violent, leading to a full-scale civil war that has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands and left millions in need of humanitarian aid.
“American policy in Syria has been a huge failure, a huge failure. I am partly responsible. There are many other American officials that are also responsible,” Robert Ford, former US ambassador to Syria, told Rudaw’s Nwenar Fatih, citing Washington’s failure to find a political solution to the Syrian civil war.
Ford described a US withdrawal from Syria as a “possibility” but predicted that it would not be soon, as Washington does not want to leave the country with “the appearance of a defeat.”
“If they leave, for example next month, everyone will understand that they left because of pressure from militias aligned with Iran, who have been attacking American bases in Syria. The [Joe] Biden administration will prefer not to withdraw from Syria with the appearance of a defeat,” he added.
Iran-backed militias have struck US bases in Syria with rockets and drones at least 98 times since October 17, in condemnation of Washington’s support to Israel in its war on Gaza. US forces have responded with several retaliatory strikes.
The retired US diplomat warned the Rojava administration against relying on protection from the US after the American withdrawal from Syria, advising the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to strengthen their position in the country and engage in discussions with the Syrian government while US forces are still there.
“It is important for the leaders in Qamishli to recognize that they will need to make concessions to the Syrian government in the negotiations,” said Ford, stressing that the Rojava administration needs to reach an agreement with Damascus on some technical issues prior to the US withdrawal.
Kurds in Syria have been Washington’s main allies on the ground in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) since the group seized control of swathes of land in Syria and Iraq in 2014. The US has provided ammunition and military support to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
During the Arab Spring protests in 2011, Syrians rose up against the country’s longtime President Bashar al-Assad. Protests soon turned violent, leading to a full-scale civil war that has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands and left millions in need of humanitarian aid.
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