Syria’s Kurds seek outside help to negotiate with regime
Though the Syrian military recently came to the aid of Kurds in the face of a Turkish attack, the Kurds still have differences to settle with the regime and are hoping for external mediation.
The US decision — and subsequent indecision — about withdrawing troops from Syria has created a shifting and complex lineup of alliances that would puzzle Rube Goldberg.
Syria's Kurds, the Syrian regime and Turkey are hoping Egypt and/or Russia can negotiate an agreement among them despite their very different goals. A Kurdish delegation is expected to visit Cairo soon. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hopes to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this month. The Kurds have also been in contact with Russia.
On Dec. 28, at the Kurds' request, the Syrian government sent forces to stop what appeared to be an imminent Turkish offensive against the Kurds around Syria's Manbij area. Syria's assistance has allowed 400 fighters from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) to withdraw from the area.
The YPG fights under the umbrella of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Turkey considers the YPG to be affiliated with terrorists, while the SDF has helped the United States fight the Islamic State in Syria.
