0
0
Throughout the whole of the conflict in Syria, the population in Kurdistan to the northeast has retained a degree of independence, including through a military force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Backed by the US, and spending more time fighting the Turkish military and its proxies than jihadist groups, the SDF recently announced it had direct confirmation from the new authority in Damascus that Kurdish territories are not among their targets.
Mazloum Abdi, chief of the SDF announced on Thursday that they had reached this agreement and are preparing to send a delegation to Damascus.
“At the outset of the incident, HTS informed us that our territories are not their target,” he said during an interview with the SDF-affiliated Ronahi TV, referring to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) a jihadist group formed from al-Qaeda in Syria that recently toppled the government of Bashar al-Assad. “Efforts are underway to send a delegation to Damascus for some negotiations”.
The Kurdish administration in Syria (Rojava) also decided to raise the flag now flying above many of the country’s major cities—in contrast to the one hoisted by the Assad regime.
The flag, featuring three red stars and the colors green, white, and black, has been used by various opposition groups, according to the Kurdish news outlet Rudaw.
Referring to it as “the flag of independence,” Abdi said the flag is “suitable … because this is not the flag of the Syrian Arab Republic but the flag of the Syrian Republic, which represents all components”.
‘Charm offensive’
Middle East Eye, speaking with a Biden Administration official who was present during inter-agency discussions on the rise of HTS in Syria, described the jihadist group as being on a “charm offensive”. There’s no doubt that HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who’s now being referred to by his pre-jihadist name Ahmed al-Sharaa, is trying to court as many regional forces as possible, including at least Israel, the Kurds, and the US.
“A charm offensive might mean that people are turning over a new leaf and they think differently than they used to, so you should hear them out. On the other hand, you should be cautious because charm offensives can sometimes be misleading,” the US official said. “We have to think about it. We have to watch their behavior and we need to do some indirect messaging and see what comes of that”.
Jolani said that Syria had been “purified” as under Assad, the country had become a place for “Iranian ambitions, where sectarianism was rife,” referring to Syria’s allies of Hezbollah and Iran, rhetoric sure to be appreciated in Washington and Tel Aviv.
Additionally, for a jihadist organization, HTS was strangely tight lipped about the Zionists striking Syrian military positions 350 times in the days before and after the fall of Damascus.
When asked for reaction to the 300 air strikes Israel had conducted in Syria, HTS spokesman Obeida Arnaout said the organization’s priority is “to restore security and services, to revive civilian life and institutions, and care for newly liberated cities”.
“I understand it’s not your priority, but are you honestly telling me that you have nothing to say about Israel striking 300 sites in this country?” an interviewer from the UK’s Channel 4 asked a second time, to which Arnaout responded: “Have no doubt, we want everyone to respect the sovereignty of the new Syria. This point is very important to us”.
Since the fall of Assad, Israel has looked to establish a buffer zone beyond the occupied southwestern territory of the Golan Heights, which Arab nations have denounced as a “land grab”. High level Israeli cabinet officials have openly stated that historic Israel should control Damascus.
In Washington, President Biden admitted that HTS and other groups like the Free Syrian Army who loosely coordinated their attacks which toppled the Assad regime had their own “grim records” and said the US would “remain vigilant”.
“We will remain vigilant,” Biden said just hours after it was clear Damascus had been taken. “Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” adding that the groups are “saying the right things now.”
“But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions,” Biden said. WaL
We Humbly Ask For Your Support—Follow the link here to see all the ways, monetary and non-monetary.
PICTURED ABOVE: Commander in Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi PC: North Press / Archive.
