MESOP : Syrian Rebel Groups Supports Turkish Safe Zone – Ankara’s decision is in the interest of the Syrian people

Basnews – 11.08.2015 18:39 – ERBIL – The Islamist rebel group Ahrar al-Sham has expressed support for Turkish plans for a safe zone in Syria on Tuesday, and Turkey’s support for the opposition.“Turkey’s decision is in the interest of the Syrian people, and is necessary to protect Turkey’s national security and stop IS and the PKK,” the statement read, referring to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), and the Islamic State (IS).

“Politics of Assad regime and of IS have turned Syria into an international conflict and proxy war and a real threat to the revolution’s allies. This has created a reality where we have to work with it (Turkey) for the public good, and for the long-term future of our country,” Ahrar said. “Since beginning of revolution, there have been popular requests for a safe zone because of the regime’s monstrous killing of civilians,” the group said. While Ahrar al-Sham supports the Turkish safe zone, the Al Qaida-linked Jabhat al-Nusra front expressed its opposition towards a Turkish safe zone in northern Syria, and said it would withdraw regions bordering IS in northern Aleppo. Nevertheless, Ahrar is a member of the Jaysh al-Fateh coalition, which includes Nusra, and released a statement on August 1, honoring Mullah Omar, the Taliban’s first leader, who died, and was replaced by Mullah Akthar Mohammed Mansour.