Kurds turn to Syria, Russia to save turf

Beirut - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has described the US decision as "a stab in the back".

The Kurdish-led authorities in northern Syria may open talks with Damascus and Russia to fill a security vacuum in the event of a full withdrawal of US forces from the Turkish border area, a Syrian Kurdish official said on Tuesday.
Badran Jia Kurd's comments to Reuters reflect the predicament facing Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria following a partial withdrawal of US troops who have effectively shielded the area from Turkish attack.
The US withdrew 50 American special forces from a section of the Turkish border on Monday, opening the way for Turkey to stage a long-threatened incursion against Syrian Kurdish-led forces that it deems as terrorists.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has described the US decision as "a stab in the back". Spearheaded by the Kurdish YPG militia, the SDF has been a major part of the US-led campaign against Daesh.
"If America vacates the area and especially the border area for certain we, as a self administration and as the SDF, will be forced to study all the available options," Jia Kurd said. "At that time we may hold talks with Damascus or the Russian side to fill the void or block the Turkish attack," he said.