Commander of the SDF: We’ve no confidence in Russia nor the Syrian government, but there is no solution but the political approach and we have to negotiate

The head of the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) said in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica published on Saturday that the “political approach” should be chosen, although he “absolutely doesn’t trust” Russia and the Syrian government.

“We’ve no confidence, but Syria’s problems can only be solved if we adopt the political approach”, said Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi.

We have to negotiate”.

“This cannot be done without solid guarantees from the entire international community, including Europe”.

He explained that the negotiations were conducted indirectly through Moscow, an ally of the Syrian government.

“But we’ll not be part of an agreement that does not include the defense of our people and their political, administrative and cultural freedom”.

Syria’s Kurdish-led forces have received support from an international coalition led by Washington to fight the Islamic State group before the last US withdrawal from northern Syria.

Abdi said he also held talks with Washington, pointing out that “the United States has offered guarantees, but there is a slow translation of these guarantees on the ground”.

At the same time, he attacked the US decision to withdraw troops from the area.

“It was a green light for the Turkish attack on our troops.

The Americans have opened the air for Turkish bombing”.

He said Syria Democratic Forces had provided crucial help to find the leader of the Islamic State, Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, who was killed Sunday in a US operation in northern Syria.

He said that “our military intelligence succeeded in recruiting the closest aides to Baghdadi, which allowed to get the finest details about his movements and hideouts”.

Asked about the desire of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to arrest him, he said: “We cannot wait for another thing from someone who doesn’t hide to the world his plan to slaughter our people and threatens all those who don’t help him in the implementation of his project”.