France's Macron pledges support for Kurds in Syria, vowing to deploy troops in Manbij

[Holac]

France's president on Thursday assured the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of Paris' support to stabilise northeastern Syria against Islamic State, and Kurdish officials said he had committed to sending troops to the region.

Emmanuel Macron has been criticized at home over his response to a Turkish military operation against YPG militants.

The group makes up a large portion of the SDF, which have been at the forefront of the U.S.-led coalition's strategy to defeat the hard-line militants.

Macron met earlier for the first time with a delegation that included the YPG, which Turkey is trying to sweep away from its border, its political arm the PYD, and Christian and Arab officials.

"The president ... paid tribute to the sacrifices and the determining role of the SDF in the fight against Daesh," Macron's office said in a statement. "He assured the SDF of France's support for the stabilization of the security zone in the north-east of Syria, within the framework of an inclusive and balanced governance, to prevent any resurgence of Islamic State."

Former president Francois Hollande, who originally approved French support for the Kurds, bemoaned on March 23 Macron's Syria policy, in particular his attitude to the YPG, accusing him of abandoning them.

Ankara considers the YPG to be an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the state within Turkey.

France, like the United States, has extended arms and training to the YPG-led militia in the fight against Islamic State, and has dozens of special forces based in the region, which has infuriated Turkey.

Turkey stormed the northern Syrian town of Afrin last week, and has repeatedly threatened to push its operations further east to Manbij where U.S. troops are stationed.

Speaking to Reuters after the meeting with Macron, Khaled Eissa, a PYD member who represents the northern Syria region in Paris, said Macron had promised to send more troops to the area, provide humanitarian assistance and push a diplomatic solution.

"There will be reinforcements to help secure from attacks by Islamic State and stop a foreign aggression," he said, referring to Turkey. "It's message that this irresponsible action from the Islamists in Ankara stops."

The French presidency declined to comment on whether Paris was sending troops.

However, it said in the statement that Macron was offering to mediate between the two sides given that the SDF had distanced itself from the PKK.

"Acknowledging the commitment of the SDF to have no operational link with this terrorist group ... he (Macron) hopes that a dialogue could be established between the FDS and Turkey with France and the international community's help," it said.

Macron spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday about the situation in northern Syria.

[Holac]

Escalation. 

[galbeedi]

ISIS is done. Finished in Syria.

 Macron should mind his own business and stay in his own neighborhood. Turkey is serious to clear the border. Erdogan already warned America to tell the YPG terrorists to leave Manbij or face the Turkish Army.

I can assure you Turkey will be crossing the border as soon as they get these news. Probably tonight.

[Old_Observer]

This French who have totally become water boys for America, are rude, crude, cruel and pompous.

Them and Britain are the dirty job workers in Syria. Somebody need to teach them to respect themselves.

Go ahead Erdogan, but becareful these snakes will try to embarass you by giving weapons to your opponents.

They can try to get you be looked as loser by shooting down your aircraft, lots of soldiers getting killed or tanks burned to disappoint the trukish people against you.

[Peace Action]

He already backpedaled, now he wants to mediate in northern Syria. France will loose big if they try military action against Syria. Turkish military and their the Syrian FSA  will be very difficult to defeat in Syria.

[Tallaabo]

I hope the French and the Americans extend diplomatic and military support to the Kurdish freedom fighters. From the beginning it was the Kurdish warriors who did most of the fighting against Daesh and the West knows the vital contribution from the Kurds. The Turkish leaders are bullies and should be stopped before they victimise the Kurds anymore. 

[Duufaan]

ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey has started preparations to clear northern Syria’s Ayn al-Arab, Ras al-Ain and Tel Abyad regions from militants up to the Iraqi border, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday, adding that it would also clear militants from Iraq. 

Erdogan said Turkey has no intention of harming soldiers of allied nations positioned in the region, but that it could not allow militants to roam free. 

United States troops are positioned alongside Kurdish YPG militants in Syria’s Manbij. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday it had assured the YPG of its support to stabilise northern Syria.

 

(This version of the story corrects to show Turkey has started preparations for further operations, not new operations)

 

(Writing by Ali Kucukgocmen)

[galbeedi]

Here is what a Turkish analyst said about the French, "France does not have the power to stay  in Syria". If they want the French can help the Free Syrian Army that is accepted by the local people and push Assad out through negotiations.

Also Erdogan said, " [T]he words we can be a mediator between Turkey and the SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces], if they were actually said, this goes beyond the authority of the one who said these words... 

Turkey must clear its region from every form of terror. It was the Fethullah Gulen people who controlled the army in 2015, and denied Turkey to clear its backyard. No more. From Syria all the way to the Iranian border must be cleared from the terrorists.

Case closed. Turkey is serious.

[Old_Observer]

Turkey also has also made a lot of problems for herself (As you said it was created by the Gullen people, but none the less Erdogan inherits it too):

Turkey dealt with groups that do not serve her interest, but interest of Nato and Gulf

Turkey at one point expected that Assad was going to go down and cut off all ite channels (One of the generals who was on Erdogan side during the crisis openly spoke that Turkey has to speak to Assad)

Turkey at one point tried to undermine Iraq, because of Kirkuk and Turkey's dealing with KRG

The free syrian army (turkey) is not as clean as you think. There are group and tribes in there that have vengence on both Arabs and Kurds.

Turkey also is now trying to do a difficult dance between Nato and Russia, yet Turkey cannot act independently completely since memeber of NATO. With the S400 this is going to get worst.

Turkey and Iran deal in civilized way, but are competitors in everything except Kurds issue.

 

I root for Turkey to complete her objectives, but get out fast. If they stay it will be like America creating resentment for a long time to come from Syrians.