Rebels and Syrian democratic forces reach ceasefire in Manbij through US mediation
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an armed alliance led by Syrian Kurds, announced this Wednesday that they have reached a ceasefire, mediated by the United States, with the Syrian rebels supported by Turkey to withdraw “as soon as possible” from the city of Manbij, northern Syria.
“As our fighters in the city of Manbij continue their resistance to stop the expansion of attacks west of the Euphrates (River), we have reached a ceasefire agreement in Manbij with the mediation of the United States to ensure the safety of civilians. ”said the commander-in-chief of the SDF, Mazlum Abdi, in a statement.
He indicated that the Manbij Military Council—integrated into the FDS and which controlled the city located in the north of Aleppo province—“which has been resisting the attacks since November 27, will withdraw from the area as soon as possible,” notes in the note.
“Our goal is to achieve a general ceasefire in all Syrian territories and initiate a political process for the future of the country,” Abdi concluded.
This announcement coincides with the visit, yesterday, of the commander of the United States Central Command, General Michael Kurilla, to the American troops in Syria, as well as the Kurdish forces he supports, according to the Pentagon.
“General Kurilla visited US military commanders and troops, as well as our partners in the fight against the Islamic State (IS), the SDF, at several bases in Syria,” the statement noted.
He also spoke about ongoing efforts to prevent the Islamic State jihadist group from taking advantage of the situation to reorganize. The United States has 900 soldiers deployed in Syria, who will remain in the region as part of the international coalition against IS.
On the other hand, the SDF has also withdrawn from the city of Deir Ezzor, in the east of the country and west of the Euphrates River, after the insurgent coalition – led by the Levant Liberation Organization and made up of supported Syrian rebels for Ankara—they will take it.
The SDF reported last Friday that its units had deployed to the city of Deir Ezzor after the Syrian army and Iranian militias withdrew from this city.
The alliance led by Kurdish Syrians, and also made up of Arabs and Assyrians, pointed out that the control of the city was carried out to protect the city from “mercenary groups affiliated with the Turkish occupation”, in reference to the insurgent coalition in which rebels backed by Ankara join, as well as due to fear that the Islamic State would regroup and expand its territory. The SDF is enemies of Türkiye, although they have reached out to it in recent days to “resolve” their differences “peacefully.” (Efe)
