Exclusive: Russian forces chief left Al-Qamishli, SDF stance unchanged
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Al Mayadeen sources report that there are no new indications of a change in the position of the SDF regarding the northern border, after the recent meeting between the commander of the Russian forces in Syria and the SDF leader in Qamishli.
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The commander of the Russian forces in Syria, Alexsander Chaiko (Photo: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
The commander of the Russian forces in Syria, Alexsander Chaiko, left Qamishli after meeting with the SDF leader to discuss effective ways to prevent escalation, Al Mayadeen sources reported Monday.
"Chaiko met with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi at his headquarters, which is at the same time a joint base for the SDF and the coalition," the sources said, stressing that "there are no new indications of a change in the SDF's position on the northern border."
Earlier today, Aleksandr Chaiko arrived at the Qamishli airport in northeast Syria from the Hmeimim airbase in the country's West, sources familiar with the matter told Al Mayadeen.
Chaiko will meet once again with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to discuss the latest developments in Syria's northern front, as well as Turkey's threats about a new military operation on its borders with Syria.
Chaiko had visited the northeastern province of Al-Hasakah last Sunday, meeting with SDF leader Mazloum Abdi, Al Mayadeen sources reported at the time.
Al Mayadeen sources stated that the meeting "discussed the Turkish threats to launch a ground operation and ways to take measures to prevent the operation from taking place," stressing that Chayko "reintroduced the idea of ​​the deployment of the Syrian army along the border strip, at a depth of 30 km."
Earlier, the Kremlin urged Ankara not to "destabilize" Syria with a military offensive.
For months, Turkey's president has threatened to launch an operation against what it describes as Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announced last month that Turkey had launched the "Operation Claw-Sword" offensive with airstrikes targeting Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said that Turkey will be completing the security strip along its southern border, which is 30 kilometers deep into Syrian territory.
