BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:30 P.M.) – A deal with the Syrian government is ‘inevitable’ at this juncture in the Syrian crisis, a Kurdish official told the AFP News Agency on Saturday. Redur Khalil, a commander in the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces alliance, told AFP that Kurdish authorities and Damascus were bound to reach a deal. “Reaching a solution between the autonomous administration and the Syrian government is inevitable because our areas are part of Syria,” said Khalil.
According to Redur, negotiations are ongoing between the government and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) for a final deal on the key city of Manbij in northeast Aleppo. “Negotiations are ongoing with the government to reach a final formulation for administering the city of Manbij,” Khalil told AFP, adding that talks had shown “positive signs”.
If that leads to a solution that “protects the rights” of Manbij residents, a similar arrangement could be applied to SDF-controlled areas of Deir Ezzor province, east of the Euphrates river, he said.
The deployment of government forces along the Turkish border could not be ruled out, he added. “The tasks of these forces could change, but we will not withdraw from our territory,” Khalil said, adding Kurdish fighters could be integrated into the Syrian army. (Al Masdar News)
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Redur Khalil is the second highest ranking official within the YPG and PYD, not some talking head. He’s been fighting IS jihadis since before the siege of Kobani. He is well a respected leader of the Rojava Kurds. His words matter. His call for Russia to act as the guarantor of any agreement between the YPG/PYD and Damascus is significant. Integrating Kurdish fighters into the SAA is a wise and necessary move. The SAA has welcomed far more wayward sons back into the fold than the YPG. Syria, all of Syria, is headed for better times.
One of the biggest threats to this better future is the desperate wish of the neocons that US forces remain in Syria. These people, like that son of a bitch Bolton, need to be resisted. I fervently wish Trump would fire this insolent ass. I also hope my GB brethren embedded among the YPG fighters follow the advice given by my first team sergeant: “Well goddam sir, the first thing we gotta do once we hit the goddam DZ is put a goddam round through that goddam radio.” My team sergeant’s name was Ricochet Roy Bishop and he lived up to his name. No matter what the politicians and generals say, the best possible course of action for those SF teams is to prepare their Kurdish counterparts for a smooth demobilization.
This is what the 1990 version of FM 31-20 “Doctrine for Special Forces Operations” says about the final phase of a US sponsored unconventional war.
“Demobilization is an important and difficult phase of UW, yet is often neglected in initial UW planning. Demobilization planning should begin as soon as the US government decides to sponsor a resistance organization. Once the resistance organization accomplishes its objectives, it should demobilize. Its shadow government may become the newly established government of the country. Resistance forces should be integrated into the reconstituted national army, even if this integration is only a transition stage toward their eventual return to civilian life. The manner in which the demobilization occurs will affect the postwar attitudes of the people and the government towards the United States.“
“Because of their knowledge of resistance organization and history, SF teams initially remain in their operational areas to assist in demobilization. The SF team commanders and their supporting CA and PSYOP elements ensure transfer of US responsibility without loss of control, influence, or property accountability. The key to long-term strategic success in UW is the planning and execution of SF post-conflict responsibilities. “
It surely won’t go totally by the manual. It never does, but this is an opportunity for SF to successfully complete a demobilization phase leaving the Syrians and especially the Rojava Kurds to find their own better future.
TTG, DOL
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-kurds-close-to-making-deal-with-govt-report/
