SDF proposes demilitarized zone in Syria’s Kobani amid rising tensions
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have proposed the establishment of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Kobani, northeastern Syria, to address escalating tensions with Turkey-backed forces.
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have proposed the establishment of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Kobani, northeastern Syria, to address escalating tensions with Turkey-backed forces.
SDF Commander Gen. Abdi Mazloum made the announcement on Friday, emphasizing the importance of maintaining regional stability and responding to Turkish security concerns.
“To confirm our steadfast commitment to achieving a comprehensive ceasefire throughout Syria, we announce our readiness to propose the establishment of a demilitarized zone in Kobani, with the redeployment of security forces under US supervision and presence,” Abdi stated on X.
The SDF’s initiative comes amid reports of Turkey-backed opposition forces mobilizing reinforcements near Kobani and Manbij in preparation for an offensive on Kurdish positions. The SDF recently signed a ceasefire agreement with these groups, agreeing to withdraw from Manbij, a critical area in northeast Aleppo province.
At the start of the Syrian conflict, the SDF declared autonomy over northern and northeastern territories, a move rejected by local Arab tribes and the Syrian government under then-President Bashar al-Assad. However, the ongoing war has dramatically shifted the nation’s power dynamics.
On December 8, Syrian armed opposition forces captured the capital, Damascus. Russian officials confirmed that Assad, who led Syria for 14 years, stepped down and sought asylum in Russia. By December 10, Mohammed al-Bashir, aligned with the opposition’s Idlib-based administration, was named interim prime minister. He later announced the formation of a government expected to remain in place until March 2025.
The SDF’s DMZ proposal is seen as a crucial step toward easing tensions in Kobani, a city strategically significant due to its control by US forces. While the initiative aims to avert further conflict, it remains unclear how Turkey and its allied factions will respond, given their continued military build-up in the region.
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