Syrian Kurds propose 'demilitarized zone' for Kobane

QAMISHLO, Syrian Kurdistan,— The top commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) proposed a “demilitarized zone” in the northern Syrian Kurdish town of Kobane on Tuesday, as clashes with Turkish-backed Islamist groups escalate in the region.

Mazloum Abdi, the commander-in-chief of SDF, outlined the proposal on social media, stating that the SDF was committed to a ceasefire across Syria and ready to create a demilitarized zone in Kobane.

He said this would involve the redeployment of security forces under U.S. supervision. “We are prepared to propose establishing a demilitarized zone in Kobane, with security forces redeployed under American oversight,” Abdi posted on X.

The announcement comes amid growing concerns that Turkey is planning an assault on Kobane, a Kurdish-majority town that was a focal point of international attention during the battle against ISIS in 2014 and 2015.

Turkish-backed Islamist rebels had recently toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in the area, further raising fears of an imminent attack.

Earlier on Tuesday, the U.S. State Department announced that it had brokered an extension of a ceasefire in the flashpoint town of Manbij, which had been threatened by ongoing fighting between Turkish-supported forces and Syrian Kurds.

“The ceasefire in Manbij has been extended through the end of the week, and efforts to extend it further will continue,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

The SDF also warned that Turkey was preparing for an offensive, citing military deployments along the Syrian border. “Turkey is planning to attack Kobane,” the statement said. “We are ready to defend our land.”

“Turkey has mobilized large numbers of its forces and militias with heavy weaponry around Kobane,” the statement said, adding that Ankara appeared to be “ready for an attack.”

Turkey has long been opposed to Kurdish autonomy in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), fearing it could inspire similar separatist movements within its own Kurdish population in Turkish Kurdistan (Bakur).

The SDF’s main component, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), is considered by Turkey to be linked to the Turkey-banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Kobane is a critical symbol of Kurdish resilience. In 2014, Kurdish fighters, supported by the U.S.-led coalition, successfully repelled an ISIS siege, marking a key victory in the global battle against the terrorist group.

Since then, the region has remained a flashpoint, with the Kurdish forces managing to maintain control despite ongoing threats from both ISIS remnants and Turkish-backed groups.

The ongoing conflict has taken a heavy toll on Kurdish forces. Since the defeat of ISIS in 2019, Kurdish fighters have held around 12,000 ISIS suspects in detention. According to Kurdish officials, more than 21,000 Kurdish fighters have died during the years-long battle against ISIS and pro-Turkey Syrian Islamist militias.