Kurdish YPG adheres to UN-backed nationwide ceasefire in Syria

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The Kurdish militia of the People's Protection Units (YPG) on Saturday announced readiness to commit to the recently adopted UN Security Council Resolution for a nationwide cessation of hostilities in Syria.

In a statement, the YPG said it welcomes the UN Security Resolution 2401, which was adopted a day earlier and designed to establish a 30-day nationwide cease-fire in Syria quickly, without identifying a date.

The resolution largely focuses on allowing humanitarian workers to do their job in helping the civilians in need across the country and through the frontlines.

The YPG has been on over a 30-day long military confrontation with Turkey, which launched a military campaign against the YPG in Syria's northern Kurdish-controlled enclave of Afrin.

The YPG said that it reserves the right to respond in cases of legitimate defense.

Iran and Syria will continue attacks on Damascus suburbs held by "terrorists", but elsewhere respect a UN resolution demanding a 30-day truce across Syria.

A Syrian regime helicopter flies overhead during the government's bombardment of the eastern Ghouta area, on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, Feb. 21, 2018. /AFP Photo

"We will adhere to the ceasefire resolution, Syria will also adhere. Parts of the suburbs of Damascus, which are held by the terrorists, are not covered by the ceasefire and clean-up (operations) will continue there," the semi-official news agency Tasnim quoted General Mohammad Baqeri as saying.

Since Jan. 20, Turkish troops, together with allied Syrian rebels, have been conducting a cross-border military operation in a bid to drive the Kurdish militiamen out of Afrin.

Citing the need to protect its national security, Turkey launched the cross-border "Operation Olive Branch" in Afrin in January to oust the fighters of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), regarded by Ankara as the Syrian affiliate of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has been fighting for autonomy in the southeast of Turkey.

A recent UN report said at least 15,000 people have been displaced since the start of the Turkish military operation against Kurdish fighters in Afrin.

Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency