US-Brokered Cease-fire Announced in Northeast Syria

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    Above: Syrian National Army (SNA) soldiers celebrate victory in Manbij on Dec. 7, 2024 in Manbij, Syria. Image copyright: Ugur Yildirim/Contributor/dia images via Getty Images

    The Facts

    • The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed fighters agreed to a cease-fire early on Wednesday in the northern city of Manbij after US mediation.

    • SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced that fighters of the Manbij Military Council, who had been responding to the attacks since Nov. 27, would withdraw from the area as soon as possible.

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    The Spin

    Pro-establishment narrative

    The SDF seeks to work toward stability in Syria and engage in a political process to find a productive solution to the country's many challenges, while also maintaining the fight against IS. Indeed, the SDF will continue to resist Turkey's attempts to destabilize Syria, as this could lead to an IS resurgence.

    New York Times

    Establishment-critical narrative

    Everyone knows, including the US, that the SDF acts as a front for the PKK, a designated terrorist organization, and has caused severe strife and destruction in both Turkey and Syria. Turkey and its allies' actions are ultimately defensive, as the SDF has worked to create a terrorist safe haven along the Turkish border, which is simply unacceptable.

    AA

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