PYD (Democratic Union Party) Diplomatic Relations Co-chair Salih Muslim said the US deciding to withdraw troops from Syria before the previously stated conditions for withdrawal are met is connected to the Turkish state threats and preparations to invade Northern Syria in terms of timing.

Salih Muslim spoke to the ANF about the US decision to withdraw from Syria and how it is connected to the Turkish state’s threats of invasion.

Muslim pointed out that the US has decided to withdraw from Syria abruptly before the previously stated conditions are met, and said: “The conditions were the end of ISIS, Iran leaving Syria and the establishment of stability in Syria. These were the points that were repeated over and over. That is why we say this decision to withdraw is an abrupt one, because none of these conditions have been met.”

UP TO THEM TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY STAY OR GO

Muslim said they didn’t invite the International Coalition, and they didn’t tell them to leave: “They weren’t here to protect us in any case. We rely on our own strength and defense. We are at a point of legitimate self defense. That much has never been lacking. It is their business to decide whether they stay or go. Our interests coincided, we acted together, but we never relied on them.”

THE TIMING IS CONNECTED TO THE INVASION THREATS

Muslim said the Turkish state’s threats and preparations to invade Northern Syria are certainly connected to the decision to withdraw US troops and continued:

“What they agreed on, what conditions they set behind the scenes is not clear. In terms of timing, it doesn’t seem to be far removed or independent from each other. It is not empty threats that Erdogan says he will do this or that - apparently they have been discussing these with the US. We don’t have anything more concrete but looking at what happened and what has been said, this is how we read and analyze things.”

WE ARE OPEN FOR DIALOGUE AND RECONCILIATION

Muslim said other international powers will make their own calculations upon this decision to withdraw and added:

“There has been conflict among Iran, Russia and Turkey already. Now this will come further into light. They have been brushing over these conflicts because the US was there. The US is leaving, let’s see what they will do. The conjuncture is in chaos. Like they have their own interests and are looking out for them, we have our peoples and their interests in mind. We can have a dialogue with anybody, we can meet and we can reconcile.

THEY MAY ATTACK, WE WILL DEFEND OURSELVES

Salih Muslim said Erdogan’s threats against Northern Syria are serious and added: “Erdogan keeps saying they will attack. They may. We won’t beg anyone not to attack us, or beg to be protected. We are here, we can handle our own defense. We are resolved for a total resistance. We rely on our people and our own defense system. Everybody will fulfill their duty.”

THREAT FOR WORLD PEACE

PYD Diplomatic Relations Co-chair Salih Muslim said the Turkish government’s mindset and aggressive approach poses a threat not just for the Kurds but for all peoples and even world peace: “What would you do if somebody comes into you home and attack you? Of course you would defend yourself. We will defend ourselves, we are not at a point to be begging others.”