Syrian army opens road to country's Kurdish areas

MANBIJ, Syria (Kurdistan24) - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and their allies in the Syrian northern town of Manbij said on Monday the Syrian army has opened a new road between the country's west government-held areas and the northeast Kurdish areas.

Manbij Military Council (MMC), an SDF ally that has governed the town of Manbij since its liberation from the Islamic State (IS) in last August, said the road between Manbij and Aleppo will also open soon.

"Opening Aleppo-Manbij road is for the benefit of people and saves them the trouble of taking the risk of crossing through the Turkey-backed mercenaries," said the SDF spokesperson Talal Silo in a post on his social media account.

Silo further pointed out that the link with the Syrian army will enhance trade which will improve the economy to serve civilians.

Regarding potential clash between the Syrian army and SDF, Silo ruled out the risk of a clash and went on to praise the Syrian army's advance in east of Aleppo.

The Syrian army could not be reached for comment on the latest advances against IS.

Syria's Kurdish-held areas in the northeast, namely Jazeera and Kobani and Afrin in the northwest of the country have been split by areas controlled by Turkey-backed Syrian rebels.

By opening the link between the Kurdish areas and the Syrian army, Afrin will no longer be besieged.

Afrin, which is under the control of the Kurdish forces of People’s Protection Units (YPG), is under siege and is separated from the other Syrian Kurdish areas by Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda-affiliate, Nusra, from the east, Syrian Army from the south, and the blocked Turkish borders from the north and west.

Editing by Ava Homa