French President Meets with Syrian Democratic Forces Delegation

Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, met on Thursday, March 29, with a delegation from the Syrian Democratic Forces, composed of representatives from Kurdish and Arab militias. According to AFP, the Élysée Palace stated in a statement that Emmanuel Macron expressed hope that France could assist in negotiations between Turkey and the Syrian Democratic Forces. The French President also praised the significant role of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against the Islamic State group, ISIS. According to the report, Emmanuel Macron also stated that France supports the actions of the Syrian Democratic Forces to establish a security zone in northern Syria to prevent the resurgence of ISIS. The main body of the Syrian Democratic Forces is formed by the People's Protection Units, a Kurdish militia, which recently had to retreat from the Afrin region in battles with Turkish forces and their Syrian allies. The Turkish army, along with its Syrian allies, began military operations two months ago to drive the People's Protection Units out of northern Syria. Turkey considers the People's Protection Units and its political branch a 'terrorist' group and part of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The Élysée Palace also stated that Emmanuel Macron expressed hope that with the help of France and the international community, dialogue and negotiations between Turkey and the Syrian Democratic Forces could be facilitated. This comes as Turkey's National Security Council warned yesterday that if Kurdish militants do not immediately leave the Manbij region of Syria and areas east of the Euphrates River, the country will take action. Turkey, which crushed the Kurdish militants in Afrin last week after two months of attacks, has repeatedly threatened to extend its military operations to Manbij, where U.S. forces are stationed. According to Reuters, the expansion of Turkey's military operations to other areas held by Syrian Kurds in the east of the country increases the risk of foreign forces clashing in Syria.