Red notice had been issued by Turkey: Mazlum Abdi comments on Ankara visit

YPG leader Mazlum Abdi made statements regarding the new process in Syria, the negotiations with the Damascus administration, the future of the SDF, and contacts with Turkey in an interview with Amberin Zaman from Al-Monitor.

Stating that their priority is the integration agreement made with the Damascus administration, Abdi said that efforts are underway to incorporate military forces into the Syrian army and institutions affiliated with the autonomous administration into the state structure.

Arguing that local governments in Kurdish-majority regions should be run by the local population, Abdi stated that in mixed-population regions, the goal is to share administration based on consensus.

"SDF WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST"

Stating that the SDF has not yet been dissolved, terrorist organization leader Mazlum Abdi said that the structure will continue its activities until the integration is completed.

Expressing that the SDF will be dissolved after the process is completed, Abdi said regarding his own future, "I will remain among my people. We will focus on organizing our people."

Stating that some progress has been made regarding military integration with the Damascus administration, Abdi said that an agreement has been reached on four brigades to be formed from SDF fighters, and that these units will be included in the Syrian army under different names.

"WE MADE MISTAKES REGARDING RAQQA AND DEIR EZ-ZOR"

One of the notable topics in the interview was the assessment of mistakes made in the past process.

Terrorist organization leader Mazlum Abdi stated that the integration process for Arab-majority regions such as Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor could have been started earlier.

Saying, "The government was constantly stalling and not responding to our proposals," Abdi evaluated his own side's mistake as "not seeking a middle ground."

Abdi used the expressions, "We were not flexible enough. We could have started the integration of Arab-majority regions like Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor much earlier."

STATED THAT CONTACTS WITH TURKEY CONTINUE

Stating that contacts with Turkey continue, terrorist organization leader Mazlum Abdi did not provide details regarding the negotiations.

Arguing that it would be more efficient for the Syrian government to be included in the contacts to be made with Turkey, Abdi said that an agreement had been reached with the Damascus administration on reopening the Nusaybin-Qamishli border gate, but the process was postponed due to a crisis caused by the courthouse sign in Hasakah.

Speaking about Turkey's concerns regarding border security, Abdi said, "Turkey has nothing to worry about. We have always said that we want peaceful relations based on neighborly ties. Moreover, we are now part of the Syrian army."

"ANKARA VISIT IS IN THE PREPARATION STAGE"

Terrorist organization leader Mazlum Abdi, for whom a red notice was issued by Turkey in 2011, also responded to the question of whether he would go to Ankara.

Abdi used the expression, "We can say that such plans are in the preparation stage."

He answered "Yes, it could happen" to the question regarding the possibility of meeting with terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan during a potential visit to Turkey.

Abdi said that he has not had a phone conversation with Abdullah Öcalan but that they have received letters.

"ÖCALAN'S ROLE REMAINS IMPORTANT"

Making assessments about terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan, Mazlum Abdi said, "There is a large segment in Rojava that sees him as a national leader figure. His role remains important."

"SYRIAN KURDS CANNOT BE IGNORED"

At the end of the interview, terrorist organization leader Mazlum Abdi, who made assessments regarding the Kurdish structure in Syria, said that in the past, Kurds were under the threat of ISIS.