SDF calls for humanitarian truce in Syria amid coronavirus crisis
Following the lead of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces call for a cease-fire in order for all warring parties to combat COVID-19 instead.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which partnered with the US-led coalition in the fight against the Islamic State, has called for a humanitarian truce and committed to suspending most military operations in northeast Syria so that warring parties can deal with the coronavirus.
“The Syrian Democratic Forces calls on all parties of the Syrian conflict to refrain from any military initiatives or actions,” the SDF said in a statement late today.
“We hope that this humanitarian truce will help to open the door for dialogue and political solution and to put an end to the war in the world and Syria,” the US-backed group said, while adding that its members would defend themselves in the event of an attack.
On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate global cease-fire “to focus together on the true fight of our lives” and allow humanitarians to reach populations most vulnerable to COVID-19.
