Syria's Kurds propose 'demilitarised zone' in Kobani as Manbij ceasefire extended

Washington seeks to prevent further fighting between allied Kurdish troops and Turkey-backed groups

Members of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Syria's north-eastern city of Hasakah on December 11 after rebels seized the capital Damascus and ousted president Bashar Al Assad. Reuters

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A ceasefire between Turkey and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) around the northern city of Manbij has been extended until the end of the week, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Tuesday, after the US-backed group proposed a “demilitarised zone” to end the fighting.

The ceasefire was brokered by Washington last week after heavy fighting broke out between the Kurds and Turkish-backed groups earlier this month as rebels advanced on Damascus and overthrew the Assad regime. Factions backed by Ankara took over the city of Manbij, leading to the truce that saw the SDF withdraw east of the Euphrates river.

“That ceasefire has been holding. It had expired; it has been extended into the end of this week,” Mr Miller said during a regular press briefing. “We continue to engage with the SDF, with Turkey about a path forward,” he said, adding that the US hopes the truce will be extended for as long as possible. “But I also shouldn’t understate that this is a challenging issue. It’s a very challenging issue.”

The SDF played a key role in the defeat of ISIS in Syria. The troops are led by the YPG, which Turkey views as a Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a separatist group that has a fought a 40-year insurgency against the Turkish state. Ankara and allied Syrian factions view the Kurdish groups as an organisation with separatist aims, but the YPG says it is fighting for greater Kurdish rights.

Mr Miller said Washington understood Turkish concerns over the PKK, which is designated as a terrorist group by both Turkey and the US, but that they were “trying to find a path forward”.

“The concern that we have is broader than just Kobani. The concern we have is to any increase in fighting in northern Syria at this point,” he said.

His remarks came after SDF commander Mazloum Abdi proposed a “demilitarised zone” in the Kurdish-majority city of Kobani with the reposting of security troops with US supervision and presence. Mr Abdi said the initiative was aimed at confirming the group's “steadfast commitment to achieving a comprehensive ceasefire”.

“This initiative is to address Turkish security concerns and ensure permanent stability in the region,” he said on X. However, fighting has continued between both sides, with Turkish-backed troops firing at areas south of Kobani, a separate SDF statement said.

The presence of about 900 US troops in north-eastern Syria has likely prevented Turkey and the Syrian National Army (SNA) from advancing into Kurdish-held territory. As Nato allies, Ankara and Washington have avoided direct conflict throughout the Syrian civil war despite backing opposing sides.

UN envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen had earlier warned that the conflict in Syria was not over, referring to the clashes between Kurdish groups and Turkish-backed factions. “A five-day ceasefire has now expired and I am seriously concerned about reports of military build-ups,” Mr Pedersen said. “Such an escalation could be catastrophic.”