Syrian Kurds to start new talks with Damascus as the threat of a Turkish invasion looms large

Tabnak – Showing himself determined to resort to the military option against the Kurdish groups in Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declares readiness to create a “safe zone” in the northern parts of Syria. Meanwhile, Kurdish groups are due to start talks with Damascus to protect them against any Turkish invasion.

In his latest remarks regarding the situation in Syria, Erdogan said Ankara expects a “security zone” to be created in neighboring Syria within a few months as the United States withdraws its troops from the war-torn Arab country.

“The zone should be aimed at protecting our country from terrorists not protecting terrorists right beside our border, and should be established within a few months,” Erdogan said in a speech in Turkey’s eastern province of Erzurum on Friday.

“Otherwise, we will definitely form this safe or buffer zone ourselves. Our only expectation from our allies is that they provide logistical support to Turkey's effort,” he added. “Our patience has a limit,” Erdogan said. “We will not wait forever for the fulfillment of the promises given to us.”

Since 2012, Turkey has been calling for the establishment of a safe zone of 30-40 kilometers between the northern Syrian towns of Jarablus and al-Rai in a bid to drive out Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and to protect civilians. However, the plan has not come to fruition so far.

Meanwhile, the head of a Syrian Kurdish group says talks with Damascus will begin "in days" following the government's "positive" reaction to a negotiation appeal.

"There are attempts to carry out negotiations. The Syrian government stance was positive," Reuters quoted Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) chief Sipan Hemo as saying. "We believe they will start in the coming days."

Syria's Kurds have been granted some degree of self-rule by the government since the war began in 2011. Last month, they sought to come back under the full Syrian sovereignty after the US announced plans to withdraw troops. People in the Kurdish-populated areas are wary of a possible Turkish incursion into northern Syria in order to establish a safe zone.

Ankara views the YPG as the backbone of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which Ankara sees indistinguishable from PKK militants who have waged an insurgency inside Turkey.

"We want to be on good ties as neighbors, but the Turkish state does not accept this," said Hemo. "If Turkey attacks our region, we will respond appropriately." The return of the territories under Syria's sovereignty would piece together the two biggest chunks of a nation splintered by eight years of war.

Syrian Kurdish leaders have sought Russian mediation for talks with the government of President Bashar al-Assad, hoping to safeguard their autonomy when US troops pull out.