Negotiations are ongoing between Kurds/locals and the government about how to govern Manbij, Redur Khalil, a SDF commander, told AFP.
"Negotiations are ongoing with the government to reach a final formulation for administering the city of Manbij,” Khalil told AFP, adding that talks had shown “positive signs”.
If that leads to a solution that “protects the rights” of Manbij residents, a similar arrangement could be applied to SDF-controlled areas of Deir Ezzor province, east of the Euphrates river, he said.
The deployment of government forces along the Turkish border could not be ruled out, he added.
“The tasks of these forces could change, but we will not withdraw from our territory,” Khalil said, adding Kurdish fighters could be integrated into the Syrian army."
Syrian Kurds close to making deal with gov't - report
"Negotiations are ongoing with the government to reach a final formulation for administering the city of Manbij,” Khalil told AFP, adding that talks had shown “positive signs”.
If that leads to a solution that “protects the rights” of Manbij residents, a similar arrangement could be applied to SDF-controlled areas of Deir Ezzor province, east of the Euphrates river, he said.
The deployment of government forces along the Turkish border could not be ruled out, he added.
“The tasks of these forces could change, but we will not withdraw from our territory,” Khalil said, adding Kurdish fighters could be integrated into the Syrian army."
Syrian Kurds close to making deal with gov't - report
