Statement issued by the General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)

19 October 2019

The SDF agreed to the ceasefire between us and the Turkish state, which was brokered by the United States on 17 October and we committed to it starting from 22:00 hrs. However, the Turkish side continued its attack in violation of the ceasefire. It also does not allow the opening of a safe corridor to evacuate the wounded and civilians, trapped in the city of Ras Al Ain/Sari Kanyeh, despite the fact that 30 hours have passed since the announcement of the ceasefire.

US Vice President, Mr Mike Pence, and US Secretary of State, Mr Mike Pompeo, who concluded the agreement with the Turkish side, have a responsibility to oblige Turkey to implement the ceasefire and open the corridor, according to the understandings with the US side.

Despite the constant communication with the American side and the promise made by them to solve this problem, there has not been any tangible progress in this regard.

We have pledged to abide by the ceasefire and continue to abide by it, but at the same time we demand the US side to abide by it and also to pressure the Turkish side to open the corridor and allow us to evacuate the wounded and civilians from inside the besieged city of Ras Al Ain.

General Command of the SDF