Damascus, Jan. 20 (SANA) The Syrian government issued a statement on Tuesday regarding developments at al-Hol camp in Hasakah province, northeast Syria, saying it is prepared to assume control of sites held by the SDF around the camp to ensure stability.
The government said that “since last night it has officially notified the American side of the SDF intention to withdraw from their positions around al-Hol camp, which required immediate action to avert any security gap that could arise.”
It added that “it confirmed to the American side and the concerned parties its full and immediate readiness to take over those sites and manage them security-wise, to ensure the camp’s stability and prevent any attempts to exploit this withdrawal by terrorist organizations.”
However, the government said, “despite the clarity of the arrangements and the sensitivity of the timing, we have observed deliberate procrastination by the SDF in completing the handover process, which indicates an attempt to mix cards and export a new security crisis in the region.”
The statement said the Syrian government holds the SDF leadership fully responsible for any repercussions resulting from this deliberate delay, stressing it “will not allow any security vacuum that threatens the safety of the area,” and calling on the United States to shoulder its responsibilities and exert pressure to complete the handover without further stalling.
