Newspaper disclosed American plan to establish buffer zone to protect north Syria

NEWS DESK

The American Wall Street Journal newspaper quoted from American officials saying, "The United States wants to form a coalition of the Western countries to establish a buffer zone in northern Syria, but this proposal has not been agreed on yet although the proposal guarantees a promise to provide US military assistance."

This proposal which has not been disclosed previously is considered another challenge that faces the officials in Trump's administration which wants to withdraw from Syria with the attempt to avoid any possible negative effects of this withdrawal, including the return of IS organization or the outbreak of a battle between SDF and the Turkey.

The American administration hopes to persuade the allies, including Britain, France and Australia to take responsibility in north Syria to handle the concerns of all concerned parties.

Trump touched upon the success of 2,000 US troops in their mission to strike IS mercenaries, and announced last December his desire to withdraw from that area, and this movement was criticized by republicans and democrats, considering that such action is premature.

Trump did not consult the decision of withdrawing his troops from Syria with more than 70 countries that are a part of the US-led coalition against IS organization, and this led to the resignation of the Defense Secretary James Matisse who expressed concern about the impact of such unilateral decisions on the allies and others.

The Wall Street Journal quoted from a European diplomat saying that the United States is conducting active talks with the European countries on the establishment of a buffer zone, but he said that there has not been any official response so far, and the talks are ongoing, while nothing has been settled.

It is suggested that the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will host the coalition's foreign ministers next week at the US State Department.

According to the newspaper, "Trump's call comes at the aim of getting the allies' assistance at the time when a senior Syrian Kurdish official Ilham Ahmed visits Washington to urge Trump's administration to slow the withdrawal of the troops and prevent Turkey from seizing areas in northern Syria."

Ilham Ahmed said, "IS mercenaries have not been defeated yet, and they have dormant cells in northeastern Syria. She also explained during her visit to Washington that the Kurds demand the US government to slow the withdrawing process."

According to the US newspaper, under the US plan that was offered to the allies, the coalition forces will establish a buffer monitoring zone in northern Syria about 20 miles south of the Turkish border, and extends from the Euphrates River towards the east, to the border with Iraq.

The newspaper added, "In return, the United States provides support in the form of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support in addition to providing support through unmanned aircrafts and other technologies, as well as other military assistance, including the presence of rapid reaction forces in case an error occurred."

The newspaper quoted from the US officials saying, "The United States can provide logistical support such as the evacuation of the injured, and can be stationed at a point close to Syria in the neighboring Iraq."

But the US officials from the Pentagon and the US State Department declined to comment on the proposal while the Defense Minister Pat Shanahan said, "Washington is talking to a number of foreign capitals about supporting northern Syria in addition to very important discussions with our counterparts of the Syrian Democratic Forces."