After Manbij Ceasefire, SDF Proposes “Demilitarized Zone”
In a significant development following the ceasefire in Manbij, the leader of the Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, has proposed the establishment of a “demilitarized
zone” in the border city of Kobani in northern Syria. This proposal comes in the wake of an extended ceasefire between Kurdish forces and Turkey-backed groups in Manbij.
Abdi announced on X:
“Reaffirming our commitment to achieving a comprehensive ceasefire across Syria, we declare our readiness to propose the creation of a demilitarized zone in the city of Kobani, with the redistribution of security forces under American supervision and presence.” He added that this initiative aims to address Turkey’s security concerns.
The week prior, factions loyal to Ankara launched an offensive against the SDF, claiming control over Deir ez-Zor, Manbij, and the strategic city of Tal Rifaat. In a statement on Tuesday, the SDF accused Turkey of planning “an attack on Ayn al-Arab/Kobani,” alleging that “large numbers of their forces and militias with heavy weapons have been amassed around it.”
On Tuesday, Matthew Miller, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, announced an agreement
for a ceasefire in Manbij between Turkey and the SDF until the end of this week, expressing hope
for its extension “for as long as possible.” Miller emphasized, “We do not want any party to exploit
the unstable situation in Syria to advance narrow interests at the expense of broader Syrian
national interest.“
Last week’s attack by Ankara-backed factions on the Manbij Military Council resulted in
approximately 220 casualties on both sides. Manbij, the second Arab-majority area after Tal
Rifaat north of Aleppo, was vacated by SDF forces following an unprecedented assault by Hayat
Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied factions that began in northern Syria on November 27,
culminating in Bashar al-Assad’s ousting and escape from Syria on December 8.
For years, these regions have been a target for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has
repeatedly threatened military operations to push back Kurdish fighters, whom Turkey labels as
“terrorists,” from its borders.
