Kurds say US mediated a ceasefire between them, Syrian opposition

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Mazloum Abdi, chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced early Wednesday that they have reached a ceasefire deal with the Syrian National Army (SNA) over the northern city of Manbij through US mediation. 

‘As our fighters in the city of Manbij continue their resistance to halt the expansion of attacks west of the Euphrates, we have reached a ceasefire agreement in Manbij through U.S. mediation to ensure the safety and security of civilians,” he said in a statement.

“The fighters of the Manbij Military Council, who have been resisting the attacks since November 27, will withdraw from the area as soon as possible,” he added, noting that their goal is to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire across all Syrian territories and initiate a political process for the future of the country.’

The Turkish-backed SNA had been attempting to take over the city for many days but it faced strong resistance from the SDF-affiliated Manbij Military Council.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the “liberation” of the city from the SDF on Monday and Turkish media published videos purportedly showing that the SNA fighters were inside the city.

A Rojava official confirmed to Rudaw English on Tuesday the militants were in control of the strategic city that Kurds took from the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2016.

The US-backed SDF has said that Turkey has been supporting the militants from the air. 

The SDF said on Tuesday that the SNA made many failed attempts to take over a strategic bridge near Kobane city and the key Tishreen Dam in Manbij city. 

The manager of the dam told Rudaw that it had gone out of service due to constant attacks by the SNA militants, warning of a “disaster” of water over pours from the dam.