Russia Mediates between Syrian Regime, Kurds

As part of a Russian-sponsored mediation, pro-regime National Defense Forces and Kurdish internal security services, aka Asayish, have agreed to a ceasefire in northeastern Syria's Qamishli region.

According to Sputnik News Agency, Russian military police were successful in mediating a ceasefire deal in Qamishli between the National Defense Forces and representatives of Arab tribes and Asayish fighters.

According to the sources, the agreement reached on Wednesday night stipulated a full ceasefire, the withdrawal of fighters from the streets, and the presence of Russian patrols in the city's streets.

“Kurdish elements attempted to advance with an armored vehicle into a city neighborhood and erect concrete barriers before Russian forces arrived,” said Mohammed al-Taei, a member of the National Defense Forces.

“Their attempts were thwarted and they were forced to return to their bases,” he added.

"We are committed to the agreement and did not shoot at their checkpoints “as they claim,” he told dpa.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Kurdish units said that elements of the National Defense Forces broke the ceasefire and attacked Asayish forces, firing mortar shells into a predominantly Kurdish neighborhood.

Kurdish security forces said on Wednesday that regime-allied fighters killed one of their members in an overnight assault on a checkpoint in Qamishli, which both groups hold.

The fighting started when the National Defense Forces targeted a position in the city manned by Kurdish security forces.

The Asayish said one of their own died in the battle late Tuesday, prompting Russian forces stationed at Qamishli airport to intervene to put an end to the bloodshed.