Syrian Democratic Forces chief plans high-profile visit to Türkiye

The commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, has announced preparations for a visit to Türkiye, with the possibility of a meeting involving Abdullah Öcalan, the founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), who is serving a life sentence on İmralı Island in Türkiye.

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Abdi said the SDF would continue to operate until its full integration into the Syrian army is completed, a process that includes the formation of four SDF brigades.

He also offered partial criticism of US policy, stating that Washington’s actions in some cases “favored the central government of Syria,” and arguing that stronger pressure could have prevented clashes that occurred prior to the signing of a peace agreement.

Abdullah Öcalan was arrested by Turkish intelligence services in February 1999 at Nairobi airport and subsequently transferred to İmralı Island, where he is serving a life sentence for organizing terrorist activities.

By Vafa Guliyeva