The head of the U.S-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said Friday that his group is in direct contact with Turkey and that he is prepared to meet President Erdogan if it helps secure a lasting truce.
Mazloum Abdi told the regional broadcaster Shams TV that both direct and mediated channels with Ankara are open. “We have direct ties with Turkey, and we hope these will develop,” he said, adding that a U.S.-brokered cease-fire has largely halted clashes for the past two months and could “become permanent.”
Turkey considers the SDF’s main component—the People’s Protection Units (YPG)—an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Ankara and its Western allies list as a terrorist organization.
Earlier this month the PKK announced plans to disband after four decades of conflict with Turkey, a move that Turkish officials welcomed but said would not alter their view of the YPG.
Asked whether he would meet Erdogan, Abdi replied that no meeting is planned “but I am not opposed.” He stressed the SDF is “not at war with Turkey” and hopes to turn the current pause in hostilities into a durable settlement.
Abdi also denied reports of covert contacts with Israel, saying the SDF seeks “good relations with all neighbors” but has “no ties” with the Israeli state. There was no immediate comment from Turkish officials on Abdi’s remarks.
In December, U.S. mediators helped broker a cease-fire after fighting erupted between SDF forces and Ankara-backed Syrian rebels near the Euphrates. The Syrian government and Turkey have each accused the Kurdish-led administration of stalling on separate integration agreements with Damascus and Ankara.