**QAMISHLI, Syria**
The commander of the Kurdish forces backed by the United States in northeastern Syria has called upon international mediators to facilitate diplomatic solutions amid the ongoing conflicts, which have been aggravated by escalating Turkish airstrikes on Kurdish territories.

Turkey has recently ramped up its military operations in northern Iraq and northeastern Syria following a deadly attack on October 23 that targeted a defense firm in Ankara, resulting in five fatalities and over 20 injuries. In response, Turkish airstrikes have struck numerous locations purportedly linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which claimed responsibility for the assault.

Mazloum Abdi, the chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), contended that the Ankara incident was merely a pretext for a Turkish campaign that had been in the works for some time. “Turkey alleges these strikes are reactions to recent events in Ankara, but the sustained nature of their bombardments indicates otherwise,” Abdi said during an interview.

Abdi expressed grave concerns over the impact of Turkish airstrikes, which have not only caused destruction to critical infrastructure like power plants, oil facilities, and bakeries, but have also severely affected civilian life. He claimed that the strikes were designed to disrupt the demographic balance by displacing local Kurdish populations. Reports note that at least 18 people have died, the majority being non-combatants, and more than 60 others have sustained injuries. Alarmingly, some strikes have targeted emergency response teams attending to those injured in the initial assaults.

This escalation impacts the ongoing fight against the Islamic State group, with Abdi asserting, “We remain open to negotiations with all involved parties, including Turkey, despite their relentless attacks.” He urged the U.S.-led coalition focused on combating IS and other international mediators to seek diplomatic avenues for resolution.

While the PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, the U.S. and Turkey hold differing views on Syrian Kurdish groups that have fought alongside Washington against IS forces in Syria.

The uptick in violence coincides with recent announcements from the United States regarding a phased troop reduction in Iraq, a part of a broader strategy aimed for completion by late 2026. Although the current withdrawal pertains only to Iraq, there are no immediate plans for a U.S. exit from Syria. Abdi raised concerns that the diminishing presence of coalition forces might jeopardize operations aimed at neutralizing IS threats in Syria. “Without coalition support, the threat from IS would become more pronounced throughout the region,” he added.

Abdi pointed out that ongoing Turkish attacks have impeded the SDF’s counter-IS operations, resulting in postponed missions against IS cells in the area. U.S. officials have yet to disclose any specific timelines regarding troop withdrawals from Syria, but discussions remain amid growing tensions.

Experts warn that a U.S. exit could intensify pressure on the SDF from both Turkish and Syrian government forces, further exacerbating the region’s security challenges and worsening the humanitarian crisis.

Dialogue between the SDF and the Assad government has been in progress since the onset of the Syrian uprising over a decade ago, yet tangible results remain elusive. “We have repeatedly attempted to reach an understanding with the Syrian regime, but to no avail,” Abdi stated, noting that the main obstacle has been the government’s reluctance to acknowledge the SDF’s autonomy. The Kurdish forces are advocating for constitutional amendments that solidify their role in governance and security owing to their self-management over the past years. “There are certain boundaries we will not cross,” he specified.

The potential for reconciliation between Turkey and the Syrian regime adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Previous attempts at rapprochement between Ankara and Damascus have failed to produce a comprehensive agreement. According to Abdi, Turkey is seeking an arrangement that would undermine the current self-governing structure in northeastern Syria. “Turkey has been clear that they wish to negotiate with the Syrian regime on the condition that it dismantles the prevailing governance in our region, which places us directly in their crosshairs,” he remarked.

The revival of the 1998 Adana Agreement between Turkey and Syria, aimed at resolving security issues along their mutual border, could have significant repercussions for the Kurdish communities in the region.