Surprise traffic on the Ankara-Damascus line: Claims that Turkey is preparing to meet with Mazlum Abdi

It has been claimed that Turkey has proposed holding a high-level meeting with SDF/YPG leader Mazlum Abdi in Damascus.

The report stated that this meeting could be conducted by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan or National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Chief İbrahim Kalın.

It was alleged that this proposal came to the agenda following diplomatic contacts conducted between the administration led by Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Shara and Syrian Kurds.

According to information based on unnamed regional sources, the planned meeting between Mazlum Abdi and Turkish officials will take place depending on the course of the contacts expected to begin in Damascus today.

However, according to information obtained by Al-Monitor, the central Syrian government postponed the talks without providing any justification or a new date.

US MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO SDF VIA PHONE

Another development that drew attention in the report was that Tom Barrack, the former US Special Envoy for Syria who also served as Ambassador to Ankara during the Donald Trump era, held a phone conversation with Mazlum Abdi last Thursday.

Sources reported that this phone call was made by Barrack from Damascus and that during the call, the SDF was given assurances that the US would continue its support in the fight against ISIS. It was also learned that Barrack stated that the “de-escalation talks” being conducted between the SDF and Turkey under US mediation should be continued.

US FLAG RAISED IN DAMASCUS AFTER 13 YEARS

The location where the meeting took place also carries symbolic meaning. It was stated that Barrack was at the US Ambassador's residence in Damascus, which has been closed since the start of the war, and that the American flag was raised at the residence for the first time in 13 years during this visit.

YPG LEADER MAZLUM ABDI: WE ARE IN CONTACT WITH TURKEY

YPG terrorist organization leader Mazlum Abdi had said in an interview with a TV channel that they had established “direct” contact with Turkish officials and that he was open to meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Stating that they had reached a ceasefire with Turkey, Mazlum Abdi said:

“We have had a ceasefire with Turkey for two and a half months. There is a temporary and conditional calm. We hope this will turn into a permanent ceasefire. We have direct relations and direct channels with Turkey, and there are also mediators. We hope these relations will develop.”

Regarding the terrorist organization PKK's decision to lay down arms, YPG leader Mazlum Abdi said, “We welcomed this decision. This is their private decision, meaning it is the PKK's own decision. The PKK's decision to withdraw has had effects on this region, and in my opinion, our current ceasefire with Turkey is a product of this resolution process.”