As Turkish and US officials held talks on Monday in Ankara to discuss the establishment of a safe zone in northern Syria, Aldar Khalil, leader of the Kurdish Movement for a Democratic Society, welcomed the establishment of a five-kilometer deep buffer zone on condition that it excludes main border towns and villages.
“The safe zone should be protected by local forces from the area, under international patronage and no Turkish custody. The Coalition would then conduct surveillance patrols along the border,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
However, the official warned against any possible Turkish attack on the area, saying the self-administrated movement is holding more than 10,000 suspected ISIS fighters along with their families.
“This could create an opportunity for ISIS to reemerge in the area,” he said.
If an offensive is launched, the Syrian Democratic Forces’(SDF) attention would be directed towards the frontlines and therefore, it would be difficult to control those ISIS detainees, he explained.
“The safety of the region and the world is in grave danger,” Khalil said.
He added that the SDF does not want a war, however, if Turkey launches an attack, “we will defend ourselves.”
Khalil also revealed that Kurdish forces are holding several diplomatic talks to discuss the potential Turkish offensive.
For the past months, Turkey has threatened to launch an attack on Syrian Kurdish-controlled areas near its border.
Khalil added that the United States and Russia were competing for power in Syria.
“Moscow is trying to weaken Washington and its alliances,” he said, remarking that the US controls the airspace in the area.
