Following a large-scale attack by Free Syrian Army and Turkish Army militants on the city of Ain al-Issa in Syrian Kurdistan, an official of the Ain al-Issa Military Council stated that Russia has asked the SDF to hand over Ain al-Issa to the Syrian central government.

"At the meeting, the Russian commanders suggested that in order to prevent the Turkish army from invading the region, the Syrian Democratic Forces should give the control of the region to Damascus," the council member told Asharq Al-Awsat. Al-Issa will be handed over to the Syrian central government, adding that "the Russians have emphasized that a security system will be established in the city if the central government flag is hoisted in Ain al-Issa."

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