Politics Tense calm between Turkey and Kurds in northern Syria
Following the extension of a ceasefire between Turkey and Kurdish militias, there is a tense calm in northern Syria, according to activists.
18.12.2024, 17:10
SDA
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that there were still attacks by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) on Kurdish targets in the early morning. After that, things remained calm.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) also confirmed to dpa that it had remained largely calm, but accused the SNA of isolated violations.
On Tuesday evening, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed that a ceasefire between Turkey and the SDF in the Manbij area had been extended until the end of the week.
The SDF have proposed a buffer zone for northern Syria. They are prepared to set up a demilitarized zone in Kobane, explained SDF commander Maslum Abdi on X. Security forces would be set up in the zone under US supervision and presence.
The Kurds and the SDF are supported by the United States. While the SDF is an important partner for the US in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, Turkey sees the militia as an offshoot of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - and therefore as a terrorist organization.
