KRG Warns of Implications Beyond Syria’s Borders Upon Military Escalations

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been "deeply concerned" over a decision by Washington to withdraw its forces from northeastern Syria, and a possible operation by Turkey against the Kurdish forces in the region.

While the White House has announced the US forces' withdrawal from northeastern Syria, Turkey, meanwhile, has made it clear that it has finished the preparations for a possible military operation against the Syrian Kurdish forces in the region.

"The [Kurdistan Regional] government calls on Turkey, as a member of the Global Coalition, to avoid any initiative that would undermine the progress made against ISIS, including jeopardising the secure detention of terrorist fighters," reads KRG's statement.

It further warned that such operations could have several consequences "far beyond Syria’s borders, creating the conditions for a return of ISIS and a mass displacement of people."

"It is crucial therefore all parties in the conflict, including the Kurdish parties, engage in dialogue to de-escalate the situation."

The government, the statement continued, has repeatedly asserted that the situation in the area "must be" solved through a stable political resolution "which enshrines" the rights of all components in Syria, including the Kurds.

The KRG argued that the Kurdistan Region "paid a huge sacrifice" in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) by hosting nearly 2 million IDPs and Syrian refugees, many of whom fled the conflict. It, therefore, "is the responsibility of the international community to prevent this from happening again."

The Kurdistan Regional Government will continue to "closely" monitor the situation, while making efforts to prevent any security escalations by working with multiple channels.