SDF, Syrian Regime Agree on Defense Plan to Repel Turkish Attack

Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters take part in a military parade between the border towns of Qatmah and Azaz in the opposition-held northern part of the Aleppo province, on July 2, 2022. (AFP)

The Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced that it had agreed to a joint defense Russia-mediated plan with regime forces loyal to President Bashar Assad should Turkey launch an attack against northern Syria.

Turkey has for weeks been threatening to launch an operation against fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the People's Protection Units (YPG), a Syrian-Kurdish group it considers to be part of the PKK. The PKK is designated as terrorist by Ankara.