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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Tuesday said it is ready to propose the establishment of a buffer zone in Kobane city after a US-brokered ceasefire with Turkey was extended for a few days.
“Reaffirming our unwavering commitment to achieving a comprehensive ceasefire across Syria, we announce our readiness to propose the establishment of a demilitarized zone in the city of Kobani, with the redistribution of security forces under US supervision and presence,” SDF chief Mazloum Abdi said in a post on X.
“This initiative aims to address Turkish security concerns and ensure the long-term stability of the region,” he added.
While rebels, led by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), had joined forces to topple Bashar al-Assad’s regime late last month, Turkey-backed opposition militia groups launched an offensive against the SDF in the northwestern region of Shahba, controlling it days later. They also took over Manbij city earlier this week which Kurdish fighters had liberated from ISIS in 2016.
Most parts of the country have seen a rare stability in recent days, except for Kurdish-held areas where a coalition of militia groups, who call themselves the Syrian National Army (SNA), have intensified their attacks.
The US brokered a four-day ceasefire between the SDF and Turkey last week.
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Tuesday that the ceasefire has been extended.
"It is extended through the end of the week, and we will obviously look to see that ceasefire extended as far as possible in the future. It came about through our ongoing diplomatic work with the SDF and with the government of Turkey,” he said, adding that the initial agreement was brokered through their “diplomatic engagements” last week.
“Reaffirming our unwavering commitment to achieving a comprehensive ceasefire across Syria, we announce our readiness to propose the establishment of a demilitarized zone in the city of Kobani, with the redistribution of security forces under US supervision and presence,” SDF chief Mazloum Abdi said in a post on X.
“This initiative aims to address Turkish security concerns and ensure the long-term stability of the region,” he added.
While rebels, led by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), had joined forces to topple Bashar al-Assad’s regime late last month, Turkey-backed opposition militia groups launched an offensive against the SDF in the northwestern region of Shahba, controlling it days later. They also took over Manbij city earlier this week which Kurdish fighters had liberated from ISIS in 2016.
Most parts of the country have seen a rare stability in recent days, except for Kurdish-held areas where a coalition of militia groups, who call themselves the Syrian National Army (SNA), have intensified their attacks.
The US brokered a four-day ceasefire between the SDF and Turkey last week.
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Tuesday that the ceasefire has been extended.
"It is extended through the end of the week, and we will obviously look to see that ceasefire extended as far as possible in the future. It came about through our ongoing diplomatic work with the SDF and with the government of Turkey,” he said, adding that the initial agreement was brokered through their “diplomatic engagements” last week.
Updated at 10:51 pm
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