A ceasefire agreement between Turkey and US-backed Kurdish forces around the northern Syrian city of Manbij has been extended until the end of this week, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
Washington brokered the initial ceasefire agreement after fighting erupted as rebel groups advanced on Damascus and eventually toppled President Bashar Assad.
At his regular briefing, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the US remained committed to the Syrian Democratic Forces and Turkey “on the way forward”. He said the US would like the ceasefire to last as long as possible.
“We do not want to see any party take advantage of the current volatile situation to advance its own narrow interests at the expense of broader Syrian national interests,“ the State Department spokesman said.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are the main ally in the US coalition against Islamic State militants in Syria. The SDF is led by the People's Protection Units, which Ankara considers an offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been fighting the Turkish state for 40 years, Reuters recalls.
The United States and Turkey, NATO allies, supported Syrian rebels during the 13-year civil war, but their interests diverged with regard to the Syrian Democratic Forces, the agency recalls.
Washington is closely monitoring the steps of Turkey and Turkish-backed forces in the Kurdish-controlled town of Kobane. Matthew Miller said the United States understood Turkey's concerns about the PKK, which Washington also considers a terrorist organization.
“We fully understand the legitimate concerns that Turkey has about the presence of foreign fighters in Syria, and we are talking to them about their concerns and trying to find a way forward,“ the State Department spokesman said.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi expressed readiness yesterday to present a proposal that would establish a demilitarized zone in the northern city of Kobane with the deployment of security forces under the supervision and presence of the United States. Abdi said in an article in Ex that the proposal aims to address Ankara's concerns and ensure stability in the region.
However, fighting between the two warring parties continues, with Turkish-backed forces shelling areas south of Kobani on Sunday, the Syrian Democratic Forces said in another statement, Reuters notes.
CIA Director Bill Burns is expected to meet Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Abdulrahman al-Thani in Doha today in an attempt to help bridge differences between Israel and the Palestinian group “Hamas“, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA, citing a source familiar with the matter. the talks.
The two will discuss progress towards a ceasefire in Gaza and an agreement to release the hostages, the source added.
The CIA declined to comment on the meeting.
The aim of the talks in the Qatari capital is to overcome differences between Israel and "Hamas" over a proposal made by US President Joe Biden on May 31 this year.