Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad stressed that the Syrian government is open to dialogue with pro-state factions which have no separatist goals.
“Anyway, the Syrian state welcomes all of its citizens but we are not going to negotiate with them (Kurdish forces) on the terms of separatism or on the logic that they are a strong force on the ground,” Mekdad told reporters on Thursday evening.
He noted that the Kurdish forces in northern and northeastern Syria had refused attempts to resolve the situation in the Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria.
Meanwhile, Mekdad reaffirmed the stance that the Syrian government will confront all foreign invaders.
“We stress again that the Syrian army is fighting the terrorist groups across Syria and will fight against the invading foreign forces that exist illegally on Syrian soil and we are on full readiness to confront all challenges facing Syria,” he said.
The Syrian official added that the history will hold Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan responsible for being a “war criminal” who has perpetrated all crimes against the Syrian people.
“A liar and a reality forger has no right to claim that he defends the Syrians or accuse the others of crimes he has perpetrated against the Syrian people, Mekdad said.
On Wednesday, Turkey started a military campaign against Kurdish forces in northern Syria. The Turkish offensive started after the withdrawal of the US forces from the area, which was seen as a sign of abandoning the Kurdish forces which used to be Washington’s allies in fighting ISIL in Syria.
Source: Agencies
