Russian mediation fails to end SDF, Syria gov. tensions: Source
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Russian mediation to halt the SDF siege on areas in Qamishli and al-Hasakah has failed, as tensions rise in eastern Syria.
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The United States-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters take position in al-Naeem Square, in Raqqa, Syria, on February 7, 2022. (AP)
Russian mediation to end a state of heightened tensions in northeast Syria has failed, due to the unmeetable demands of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), sources told Al Mayadeen on Saturday.
The commander of the Russian Armed Forces in Syria arrived at Qamishli Airport on Friday and held meetings with representatives of the SDF and the Syrian government in a Russian base in the airport.
This comes after Arab tribes attacked and liberated several villages held by the United States-backed SDF in eastern Deir Ezzor. In the context of these ongoing confrontations between the Kurdish-controlled SDF and the Arab tribes, the latter sieged several enclaves controlled by the Syrian Arab Army in northeastern areas of the country, namely in Qamishli and al-Hasakah.
The SDF set up multiple checkpoints around the areas it controls in northeastern Syria, where it detained multiple Syrian officers and soldiers and also affected the movement of Russian forces in Qamishli.
Read more: Syrian Tribes initiate wide-scale op to reclaim US-occupied territory
SDF demands release of two Kurdish commanders
Representatives of the Syrian government refused to agree to the SDF's demands during the meeting mediated by the Russian commander, according to sources informed on the matter.
In detail, the SDF asked that two Kurdish commanders who were taken captive by Arab tribes during their offensive on the eastern bank of the Euphrates be released.
However, SDF negotiators made no mention of the 43 other SDF fighters who were also taken captive, due to their Arab origins, sources told Al Mayadeen.
Sources explained that the Syrian government's representatives considered "the tribal movement against the SDF to be a result of the latter's actions against them," adding that "it is a popular movement expressing the tribes' rejection of the current status-quo in the region."
The sources viewed the current siege on the Syrian state's facilities in al-Hasakah and Qamishli as an SDF attempt at "leverage to prevent the tribes' attacks and to pressure any Syrian rapprochement with Turkey at its expense."
"The United States might be behind the SDF's actions, which are employing inhumane methods to achieve political and strategic gains," sources told Al Mayadeen.
The SDF banned the entry of water, fuel, flour, medicine, and food into the enclaves in al-Hasakah and Qamihsli, while also imposing restrictions on the movement of civilians in the areas.
Read more: Syrian tribes attack SDF positions to reclaim US-occupied territory
Syrian Foreign Ministry blasts US support for SDF
Meanwhile, the Syrian Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning the US for occupying Syrian territories and backing the separatist SDF.
It also held the US and the SDF accountable for criminal attacks launched on citizens in Deir Ezzor, al-Hasakah, and Qamishli, as well as several villages in the eastern and northeastern regions of Syria.
The Ministry pointed to several attacks in which multiple civilians were martyred as a result of attacks launched by the SDF.
Pointing to the US occupation of Syrian territory, the Syrian Arab Republic said the action is a blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
Damascus stressed that all these inhuman and immoral practices against its people in the eastern and northeastern regions, including preventing access to food supplies and drinking water, aim to exacerbate the suffering of the Syrian people and prolong the war on the country.
The Ministry called on the US to halt its aggressive practices and to immediately withdraw from Syrian territory.
Read more: Syrian Arab Army eliminates multiple terrorists across 3 governorates
