PKK, Assad bargaining over Syria gains momentum amid US pullout decision

Talks over the future of Syria between the Assad regime and Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists have gained momentum in recent days after the U.S. announced it was withdrawing its troops from the country’s northeastern regions.

A Syrian regime delegation spearheaded by Assad’s intelligence chief Ali Mamluk arrived in Raqqa on Sunday and met with senior PKK terrorists Ilham Ahmad, Elder Halil and Sipan Hamo.

During the meeting attended by a senior Russian lieutenant, the two sides discussed the PKK handing over control of the region the Assad regime.

Mamluk pointed that the Syrian regime is ready to deploy its forces in the region extending from Manbij to the Jarabulus border.

Some of the requests made by the Assad regime included PKK terrorists handing over all their weapons to Damascus and that men of age in PKK-occupied areas will be conscripted in the regime’s army.

In exchange for the above, the regime offered senior administrative positions to high-ranking PKK terrorists following the hand-over.

The Assad delegation also vowed to start sending forces to Ayn al-Arab, Ayn Issa and Ras al-Ayn in the case that PKK terrorists agree to the regime’s conditions.

A possible mission east of the Euphrates, which Turkey’s leadership has been suggesting for months, would follow two successful cross-border Turkish operations into Syria since 2016 – Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch – both meant to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.

Requests made by PKK terrorists at the meeting included recognition for a Qamishli-based “autonomous region,” and citizenship rights for PKK terrorists from Iran, Iraq and Turkey.

However, PKK terrorists asked to keep control over Syria’s oil and natural gas reserves in the province of Hasakah.

Mamluk vowed during the eight-hour meeting to guarantee gains for the PKK in Syria’s new constitution in exchange for terrorists agreeing to Damascus’s demands.

Russia, for its part, promised it will be able to convince Turkey to hand over regions controlled by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) to the regime.