SDF has ‘understandings’ with Syrian regime, not relations: Mustafa Bali

Deals between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian regime have recently made headlines, especially when the SDF was attacked by Turkish forces last October. However, Mustafa Bali, spokesperson for the SDF, told Rudaw English on Thursday the Kurdish forces do not have any formal relations with Bashar al-Assad’s regime but merely “understandings” which are responses to new realities on the ground.

“I do not call them ‘relations’ but understandings. There are some local and temporary understandings [between the SDF and the Syrian regime]. For example, it is the duty of the state [of Syria] to protect international borders, not the SDF,” Bali said in the exclusive interview in Erbil.  

The SDF spokesperson also highlighted recent developments in Syria, in particular the clashes between Syrian regime forces and the armed opposition in Idlib province – the last bastion of former al-Qaeda-affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). 

“The situation in Idlib is one of the phases of long-term agreements between Russia and Turkey. We cannot see Idlib as a separate scene from the full movie,” he said, adding that Turkey is merely worried about its observation posts there. 

Regarding the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), Bali said the SDF and the US-led coalition have already “discussed and approved” plans and operations for the year 2020. 

*This interview has been slightly edited for clarity.

Rudaw English: What is the nature of the SDF-regime security relationship now?   

Mustafa Bali: Generally, the Syrian regime, since 2011, has pursued conflict to solve political issues. It is not open to dialogue. Since 2011, we have struggled to convince the regime to resolve the Syrian crisis through politics rather than wars and the destruction of cities. Unfortunately, this regime has not expressed seriousness for the resolution of crises. 

Is it trying to save time?

We can say that it is saving time. One can say that it [the regime] is pursuing its plans in the hope of making international gains. Had it been serious about the resolution [of crises], dialogue would have begun long ago, not only with Kurds but the opposition as well. There would be international support for it.

Your relations with the regime are said to be complicated, as they sometimes call you allies and other times call you “terrorists”. Why is that?

I do not call them ‘relations’ but understandings. There are some local and temporary understandings [between the SDF and Syrian regime]. For example, is the duty of the state [of Syria] to protect international borders, not the SDF. We will do our best [to protect the borders] but the Syrian regime is officially still a member of the UN. Therefore, the Syrian regime [forces] have to be deployed to the borders. We call these understandings rather than agreements.

You mean this is based on events on the ground?

Yes, it is like that.

Regime supporters clashed with US forces near Qamishli this week. What does this mean for the US presence? What will happen?  

The US leads the international coalition against Daesh (ISIS), and we are the ally of this coalition on the ground. Our plans and activities against Daesh for the year 2020 have been discussed and approved. This work will continue. We hope that there is no conflict in our region, not only between the US and Russia, but anyone. Syrians, especially the Kurds, have observed conflicts for years. We hope there are no clashes, even if there are clashes they have to seek a logical resolution. 

Will the Qamishli incident harm the presence of the US in the city? 

No, the US troops are secure and there is no threat to them. I can say that in US history, US troops have only lived in peace [amid conflicts] in two regions: the Kurdistan Region [of Iraq] and Rojava. Outside these two regions, the US troops cannot walk in peace in towns.  

Turkish and Syrian regime forces have clashed in recent days around Idlib. Do you think this will escalate? What could this mean longer-term for the Turkish presence in northern Syria, including the Peace Spring area and Afrin? 

The situation in Idlib is one of the phases of long-term agreements between Russia and Turkey. We cannot see Idlib as a separate scene from the full movie. Astana talks began in 2016, guaranteed by Russia, Turkey, and Iran. In that time, they signed the Four City agreement … where they [the armed opposition] handed over four cities to the regime, followed by Ghouta, Hama, Homs, and Aleppo. Cities were handed over to the regime gradually. In return, Turkey [was allowed] to enter Azaz, Jarabulus, and al-Bab. Now, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin publicly says that they are not doing anything outside these deals. [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan also said that what is happening [in Syria] has been agreed upon in Sochi. Erdogan is only worried about keeping their observation posts there. 

Why does Russia accuse Turkey of not adhering to its promises?

As per the deal, Turkey has to expel Jabhat al-Nusra and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, who are terrorists, from Idlib, replacing them with convenient opposition. The Turkish defense minister said that they will expel them [the armed opposition] if necessary.  This proves that Turkey is the sponsor of terror … Therefore, we do not support the Idlib war as only the civilians, children, women, and villagers, are victims. Demographic changes are made. 

Can we say that the Idlib conflict has given the SDF some respite?

No, we do not see it that way. No matter where it happens, humans are killed in wars. Our moral principle does not allow us to have such feelings. None of the players of the Idlib conflict respect human dignity. 

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi told Al-Monitor he is ready to talk to Turkey. Is this going to happen? What do you hope this will achieve?   

This is not a novel thing. We from the SDF have said, since our foundation [that we have support dialogue]. This was the logic behind the establishment of the SDF. Syria was suffering from a sectarian war between Sunnis and Alawites, Kurds and Arabs, and Muslims and Christians. The SDF came and gathered all of them [under one umbrella] as it consisted of Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Turkmen, Muslims and Christians … Our logic is that political issues cannot be resolved through military gains. If the SDF controls the whole of Syria but does not follow a political solution it will not succeed. The same thing is true for the regime. Victory comes from political solutions which come from dialogue. It is normal for two enemies to come together and forget about the animosity … Our general commander [Abdi] has previously said he supports political solutions, whether it be with the Syrian regime, the opposition, Turkey, or anyone.   

The UN has called the mass displacement in Idlib the worst of the entire conflict. The SDF has welcomed displaced families to its areas. What support are they getting? Do you condemn the regime offensive in Idlib?     

As you know, life is not easy in the winter season. Think about those families who have been displaced from their homes and headed to a region where they only have tents. We have said before that our doors are open for those residents of Idlib who do not want to go to Turkey because if they move to Turkey it will use them as trading tools. They can come to the east of Euphrates region, as it is part of Syria too. However, we lack the financial capability [to offer aid to the people of Idlib] because we are besieged and facing conflicts. We help as per the money we have in hand. When the UN talks about the situation in Idlib, why does not it send its representative to the east of Euphrates?