Kurdish Expansion Plans Risk Undermining Russia-Sponsored Safe Zones in Syria

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) plan to significantly expand the de facto autonomous region they administer in northern Syria once they liberate Raqqa, raising questions as to whether these ambitions would undermine Russia's peacebuilding efforts in the war-torn country.

The Kurds are intent on creating a corridor between areas under their control and the Mediterranean Sea. 

• They also want to push Daesh out of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, subsequently offering both cities a chance to become part of their federal system.

Kurdish post-Raqqa objectives were unveiled earlier this month by Hediya Yousef, co-chairperson of the executive committee of the Rojava, a de facto autonomous region in northern Syria, administered by the Kurds. It consists of three self-governing cantons, namely Afrin, Jazira and Kobani.......https://sptnkne.ws/ewKZ
 [sputniknews.com]
15/5/17
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Related:

• Kurdish-led forces say no heavy US weapons received yet
• UN 'deeply concerned' over safety of 400,000 civilians fleeing US-led coalition airstrikes in Raqqa
• US commander sees no Kurdish federation in Syria’s future

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