Syrian Kurdish commander wants to visit Turkey and meet Ocalan

Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has expressed his desire to visit Turkey and meet Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). In an interview with a Turkish news agency, Abdi emphasized the SDF’s support for ongoing peace talks between Turkey and the PKK, which announced its dissolution earlier this year to facilitate peace efforts. Turkey, however, views the US-backed SDF as a Syrian branch of the PKK and has designated Abdi and other SDF leaders as terrorists. Despite this, Turkey has been engaging in talks with Ocalan since last year, aiming to resolve the decades-long conflict through political amnesty and reforms to strengthen Kurdish cultural rights. Abdi stated that a meeting with Ocalan would positively contribute to resolving issues in northeastern Syria and advancing the peace process. He also acknowledged the direct impact of Turkey’s peace efforts on northeastern Syria, where Kurdish authorities have maintained control for the past decade. Abdi highlighted the current ceasefire with the Turkish army, attributing it to the ongoing peace process. He revealed that he received a message from Ocalan last year and stressed that certain issues, such as the presence of PKK fighters within the SDF, require Ocalan’s personal involvement. Abdi also discussed his meetings with the Syrian government and US officials, noting tentative agreements on military matters but emphasizing that Kurdish rights and governance structures must be clearly defined in Syria’s new constitution for a comprehensive agreement to be achieved. He reiterated the SDF’s preference for a federal system in Syria, focusing on realistic and acceptable solutions for both Damascus and the international community.