Mahmoud Al-Meslet, Co-Chairman Of Syrian Democratic Council: Arab Normalization With Turkey Will Be A Betrayal Of The People Of North-East Syria; The U.S. Is Our Greatest Ally, We Don't Want Them To Withdraw, But We Are Preparing For Such A Scenario

Mahmoud Al-Meslet, the co-chairman of the Syrian Democratic Council, said in a July 17, 2024 interview on Rudaw Arabic on YouTube that any Arab normalization with Turkey will be a "betrayal" of the people in the autonomous region of north-east Syria. He qualified that if such a measure is taken in order to bring about internal Syrian dialogue, then the Syrian Democratic Forces will support it. Al-Meslet stated that the United States is the “greatest ally” of the people of north-east Syria, and they do not want America to withdraw from the region, because they bring stability to it and deter attacks by Turkey. However, he added, the people of north-east Syria are preparing for such a scenario.

Mahmoud Al-Meslet: "Many Arab countries are normalizing their relations with the Syrian regime, but we are also a part of Syria. North-east Syria is an important part of the country. We are not opposed to normalization with the Damascus government, but there should also be normalization of relations with [us in] north-east Syria, and there should be recognition of our autonomous administration, which has had great achievements in recent years.

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"We are not afraid of the [Arab-Turkish] normalization. We are ready for all possible surprises, and we also have friends and allies in the region. However, if this normalization comes at the expense of the north-east Syria region, I will view it as a betrayal of our people and our region. If it comes at the expense of the Syrian Democratic Forces, our autonomous administration, and our region, it will constitute betrayal. If the purpose of this normalization is to give rise to an internal Syrian dialogue, or to bring about a general solution to the crisis, then we will support it."

Interviewer: "Are you afraid that the next American administration will decide to withdraw from Syria?"

Al-Meslet: "We are in contact with the U.S. They are our ally – our greatest ally, to be honest. At this point, we do not want the Americans to withdraw from the region, because they are the ones who guarantee stability, and deter some attacks by Turkey and by others against our territory. However, if they do withdraw, we have a strategy and some plans. We have opened up to all the sectors. Our home front is united, thank God. We are trying to find suitable solutions to when the Americans withdraw. The leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces, the autonomous administration, and the Syrian Democratic Council agree that we must be ready for any American withdrawal from our region. Many partners and allies will [continue] to stand by us."