France labels Syria-SDF agreement best opportunity for both sides, urges SDF to cut ties with PKK

France has highlighted the Syria-SDF agreement as a key opportunity and has called on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to sever ties with the PKK.

The spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry Christophe Lemoine told Syria TV that the recent agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF is the best opportunity currently available for both sides. He added that Paris is working to bring the two parties closer together to ensure the success of the deal.

The spokesperson said that France maintains equal distance from both sides. He explained that France’s relationship with the SDF is based on ten years of joint operations against the so-called Islamic State group (IS).

He stressed that implementing the agreement will not be easy and confirmed that France will continue to pass messages between the two sides. He said the deal was necessary to ensure the continued fight against IS and to secure detention centres.

READ: French, Syrian presidents discuss regional situation in call

He also stated that France shares the view of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq that SDF commander Mazloum Abdi should distance himself from the PKK. He added: “We conveyed this message clearly to Mazloum during our meeting with him.”

The spokesperson noted that Abdi sees the agreement with the Syrian government as an opportunity to reduce the influence of the PKK and to act as a political leader, rather than only as a military commander.

The SDF is a militia group affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is designated as a terrorist organisation by several countries, and has aimed to establish an independent Kurdish-led region in north-eastern Syria.

READ: Erdogan warns SDF against undermining Syria agreements reached with Damascus