Syrian minister: government troops cooperating with Kurdish forces

By Dilxuaz Behlewi

DAMASCUS, Syria  - Military cooperation between Syrian government troops and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) has been instrumental in pushing back Islamic State (ISIS) militants from the town of Hasaka in Syria’s northeast, a top Syrian official told Rudaw.

Ali Haidar, the Syrian Minister for National Reconciliation, said it was that cooperation which effectively led to the ISIS defeat in many areas, including Hasaka.

ISIS militants attacked Hasaka earlier in June and recaptured several neighborhoods within days. The YPG said early this month that its forces had regained “complete control” of the city after an offensive lasting more than a month.

“The result of the cooperation was that we prevented Hasaka falling to ISIS,” Haidar said, adding that top-level coordination was needed for the operation.

Haidar heads a committee in the Syrian parliament that seeks to start a national dialogue among different groups. Haidar said the primary objective was to “confront terror.”

Kurdish groups have accused the committee of sidelining Kurdish demands, as no Kurd is represented in the eight-member board.

“There are no Kurds in the committee but there could be in future committees,” Haidar said, adding that he represented all Syrian people, including the Kurds.

Several opposition figures and representatives for the Syrian government held a second round of talks in Moscow last week to find a common solution to the humanitarian issue facing the country for the fifth year.

Syrian government envoys and members of its opposition agreed on August 8 on a six-point plan proposed by the Russian government, which includes ending military operations, fighting terror, political transition and release of detainees, according to the Syrian state news agency, SANA.

“There will be no political solution before terror is dealt with in the country which is threatening everyone at the moment,” the minister said.

“When terror is no longer an immediate national concern, then political process will find a way for talks,” he added.

The minister said Russia was supporting Syria both militarily and economically, and helping opposing groups reach a deal.

“Russia believes in a centralized government and army that confronts terror,” he added, praising Moscow’s role.

He said that, according to the country’s constitution, Bashar al-Assad remains president of Syria and that any change to the political system will require a new constitution.DAMASCUS, Syria  - Military cooperation between Syrian government troops and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) has been instrumental in pushing back Islamic State (ISIS) militants from the town of Hasaka in Syria’s northeast, a top Syrian official told Rudaw.

Ali Haidar, the Syrian Minister for National Reconciliation, said it was that cooperation which effectively led to the ISIS defeat in many areas, including Hasaka.

ISIS militants attacked Hasaka earlier in June and recaptured several neighborhoods within days. The YPG said early this month that its forces had regained “complete control” of the city after an offensive lasting more than a month.

“The result of the cooperation was that we prevented Hasaka falling to ISIS,” Haidar said, adding that top-level coordination was needed for the operation.

Haidar heads a committee in the Syrian parliament that seeks to start a national dialogue among different groups. Haidar said the primary objective was to “confront terror.”

Kurdish groups have accused the committee of sidelining Kurdish demands, as no Kurd is represented in the eight-member board.

“There are no Kurds in the committee but there could be in future committees,” Haidar said, adding that he represented all Syrian people, including the Kurds.

Several opposition figures and representatives for the Syrian government held a second round of talks in Moscow last week to find a common solution to the humanitarian issue facing the country for the fifth year.

Syrian government envoys and members of its opposition agreed on August 8 on a six-point plan proposed by the Russian government, which includes ending military operations, fighting terror, political transition and release of detainees, according to the Syrian state news agency, SANA.

“There will be no political solution before terror is dealt with in the country which is threatening everyone at the moment,” the minister said.

“When terror is no longer an immediate national concern, then political process will find a way for talks,” he added.

The minister said Russia was supporting Syria both militarily and economically, and helping opposing groups reach a deal.

“Russia believes in a centralized government and army that confronts terror,” he added, praising Moscow’s role.

He said that, according to the country’s constitution, Bashar al-Assad remains president of Syria and that any change to the political system will require a new constitution.