SDF: Turkish isis terrorist Attack on Afrin Breathes New Life Into IS

SDF: Turkish  isis terrorist Attack on Afrin Breathes New Life Into IS

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has said that it will strongly defend Afrin against any Turkish attacks, warning that the Ankara-led assault on northern Syria “threatens to breathe new life into Daesh [Islamic State]”.

“The sudden and unjustified threats of offensive operations from Turkey into Afrin, Syria, threatens to breathe new life into Daesh.  These threats are wholly unjustified as we are determined to preserve the sovereign borders of Syria, and would not allow any hostile acts to launch against Turkey from Syrian soil, including from Afrin.  Allegations that we have launched attacks across the border are false and a pretext for Turkey to bring its military forces and its extremist opposition groups onto Syrian soil.  This would be an act of aggression against us, our people, and Syria,” reads a statement by the SDF.

“If attacked, we will have no choice but to defend ourselves and our people, but we state in front of the world that we harbor no hostile intent towards Turkey and would only take measures in our own defence in the event of hostile operations against our people.”

The SDF urges Turkey to halt its military incursion into Syria; it also calls on the international community to ensure that the focus of all partners remains on defeating the Islamic State (IS).

“We, as Syrians, do not seek or need a new front after so many years of conflict and war.  It is time, after the defeat of Daesh, to focus on political reconciliation and rebuilding our country,” the statement concludes.