“The fate of Daesh [ISIS] detainees and families is in our hands. We arrested them, they are held by us and we will determine their fate,” Abdi told the SDF-affiliated Ronahi TV.
Abdi said they also will “not accept” Turkey or the Syrian regime taking control of the ISIS detainees, even if they invade SDF-controlled area.
There are about 12,000 suspected ISIS fighters detained by the SDF in northern Syria, including some 2,000 foreigners. There are also about 70,000 family members and supporters being held in camps in the region.
Turkey launched its Operation Peace Spring last week. The fighting is largely concentrated in the towns of Sari Kani (Ras al-Ain) and Gire Spi (Tal Abyad) where the Turkish army and its Syrian proxies claimed to have seized control, but the SDF says it has retaken lost ground.
At least 750 ISIS affiliates escaped the SDF-held Ain Issa camp after Turkish shelling close to the camp and detainees rioted. There are fears that more ISIS fighters and supporters could escape if Turkey’s operation continues and the SDF’s focus is diverted to the frontlines.
The multi-ethnic SDF announced an eleventh-hour “military” deal with the regime in Damascus on Sunday that will see Syrian army troops deployed to key towns like Manbij and along the border with Turkey.
Abdi told Ronahi TV that the agreement with Assad was “necessary,” but stressed it was a “military” one only. Further negotiations will take place once the Syrian border is cleared of Turkish forces.
The Kurdish commander spoke with US President Donald Trump by phone on Monday when he reportedly promised to keep the ISIS detainees under control.
SDF commanders and Kurdish officials in northern Syria have previously warned that if Turkey attacks their region they would no longer be able to prioritize the war against ISIS.
Now under attack, Abdi told Ronahi TV that the protection of their people and territory is the priority of the SDF, but that they remain committed to fighting ISIS.
“Our agreement with the US in the framework of the fight against Daesh [ISIS] continues. At least, it has not officially ended,” he said, but they have suspended their military offensive against the terror group.
“The US wants the agreement against Daesh [ISIS] to continue. However, we prioritize the protection of our people and Rojava [northern Syria]. In other words, we have frozen our actions against Daesh. We do not to anything practical. We are in a defensive position against Daesh,” he said.
The SDF is the key ally of the US-led coalition against ISIS in northern Syria.
In the past week, the coalition and Iraqi Security Forces conducted five operations against ISIS in Iraq – carrying out airstrikes on ISIS hideouts, eliminating members of the leadership, and reinforcing the border with Syria. During the same time in Syria, the only anti-ISIS activity the coalition reported was a training exercise with local forces in the At Tanf base in the south of the country.
