© AP
Syrian Democratic Forces
over the course of the multi-year conflict, controlling over a quarter of the country, encompassing around 70 percent of its proven oil reserves.
Negotiators from Syrian Democratic Force's (SDF) political wing met with Syrian government officials earlier this week, as
they look to protect their territorial gains from the Syrian Army and Turkish forces, the Reuters news agency
reported.
Kurdish politicians are especially keen to strike a deal with Damascus now,
as Washington's stance is unclear the US has proven to be an unreliable ally. "We have a conviction that channels must be open...the constitution, the political process, these will not be solved without the regime [government]," said Kurdish politician Ilham Ahmed.
Moreover, another Kurdish official even suggested SDF fighters could participate in the
Syrian Army's suspected upcoming anti-terrorist offensive in Idlib, though it's unclear if Damascus is open to militarily cooperating with the SDF on such a large scale, given their strong ties to the US.
Even though SDF-controlled parts of Syria have long been outside of Damascus' hands, the government continues to provide assistance with administering public services in SDF territory, particularly northeastern Syria, paying wages to teachers and other public-sector workers.
Comment: Goodness knows Trump and those willing to see things more or less objectively in Washington need a few sane allies