YPG, ISIL struck deals on three occasions, including Raqqa: Ex-spokesman

The former spokesman of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a militant group dominated by the Syrian Kurdish Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG), has said the SDF struck deals with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on three separate occasions to evacuate them from certain areas, including Raqqa.
Talal Silo, a former high-ranking commander, is currently in Turkey after defecting from the SDF last month.

Speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency in an interview published on Dec. 4, Silo spoke about YPG agreements with ISIL to allow the latter’s fighters to leave three places, struck “with the support and knowledge of the U.S.”

“The Raqqa negotiations were done at the SDF’s general headquarters in Ain Issa. They lasted for two days … ISIL did not have any other place to go but Deir Ezzor. The U.S. seemed to agree with that. Because the SDF made two moves [in Raqqah and Deir Ezzor] at the same time. Their men in Deir Ezzor were weak, and the U.S. wanted the SDF to start the Deir Ezzor operation to reach the Iraqi border before the [Syrian] regime army arrived,” he said.

“According to the Americans, the regime army could reach Deir Ezzor in six weeks. But when the regime army proceeded faster than expected, the U.S. wanted the SDF to start negotiations with ISIL. The terrorists would therefore go to Al-Bukamal [near the Iraqi border] and prevent the regime’s advance,” Silo said.

“Talks were held to allow 3,500 terrorists to leave. There were also about 500 women and children. The U.S. … wanted these terrorists to reach Deir Ezzor before the Syrian regime army. For this reason, the ones leaving Raqqa would not be shot,” he added.

• “Most of them entered the areas of the Euphrates Shield Operation [areas of Syria near the Turkish border previously cleared of ISIL by Turkish-backed fighters],” Silo said.

Meanwhile, the YPG said on Dec. 3 it had fully captured Deir Ezzor’s eastern countryside from ISIL, with the help of both the U.S.-led coalition and Russia.
 [hurriyetdailynews.com]
 4/12/17