Despite setback, Kurds appear ready for Washington-Moscow spotlight
(Worthy News) – Syrian Kurdish leader General Mazlum Kobani was on the phone with the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and got support from Washington on Wednesday, two weeks after it seemed his Syrian Democratic Forces were on the ropes against Turkey.
Mazlum and his fighters, which number around 100,000 in different units trained by the Americans, suffered setbacks between October 9 and 14th amid hammering by Turkey and Turkish-backed jihadists, but they have come through the fire with confidence. He first thanked US President Donald Trump on Wednesday in wording that puzzled many who watched what appeared to be a US betrayal of the Kurds. Mazlum said he appreciated Trump’s “tireless efforts that stopped the brutal Turkish attack and jihadist groups [attacks] on our people.” The SDF commander spoke to Trump and explained the Turkish violations of the ceasefire the US pushed for on October 17.
Trump was gracious in his response. “Thank you for your kind words and courage. Please extend my warmest regards to the Kurdish people, I look forward to seeing you soon.” For observers of US policy, which seemed to be jumping from crisis to crisis since October 6, the newfound warmth was in contrast to the excoriation of Trump’s policies being heard in Congress on October 22-23 as US envoy for Syria James Jeffrey was grilled by Senators. Jeffrey, who was not consulted by Trump before the US decision to withdraw on October 6, may not have been consulted again on October 23. Other Senators are lining up to ask that Mazlum be able to come to the US now to meet the President. Ilham Ahmed of the Syrian Democratic Council is already in Washington DC speaking out for the needs of Kurds and others in eastern Syria. The SDF and SDC both have many Arab members and control an area in Syria that is the size of West Virginia. [ Source: Jerusalem Post (Read More…) ]