Saar and Elham Ahmad, foreign relations co-chair for the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, discussed the situation in Syria and Turkish-backed attacks on Rojava, according to SDF-affiliated Ronahi TV.
“Israel gave positive guarantees to the rights of Kurds and other components,” Ronahi TV said, citing an informed source.
Both officials “discussed the situation in Syria, the developments in the region, preserving Syrian sovereignty, and Turkish attacks on north and east Syria,” it added.
Saar and Ahmad also stressed the need for a “lasting ceasefire” in Syria.
In late December, Saar expressed “moral and diplomatic” support for Kurds in Syria and urged the international community to do the same. He noted the sacrifices that Kurds made in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and warned against dismantling their autonomy.
During Syria’s 13-year civil war, Kurds carved out an autonomous region in the northeast, establishing their own governance system and an armed force, the SDF that is partnered with the global coalition against ISIS. The SDF lost an estimated 11,000 fighters in the war against the jihadists.
“The Kurds are a pro-Western and friendly group, and we must stand by them,” Sa’ar said at the time, underscoring Israel’s moral and diplomatic support for the Kurds.
The Kurds now face an uncertain future in the new Syria.
Kurdish forces are currently trying to stop an offensive by Turkish-backed militias who are attacking a key dam on the Euphrates River and threatening the town of Kobane.
Ankara considers the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) - the backbone of the SDF - as the Syrian front for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a designated terrorist organization by Turkey.
