“Basically, the US did not come to protect us,” Muslim told media outlets close to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

He said that the US withdrawal is related to Turkey’s threats to intervene in northeastern Syria and that the decision works against the US' stated strategic goals of eliminating the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and checking Iranian influence.

The Associated Press reported on Friday that US President Trump decided that he would withdraw US troops from Syria during a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on December 14.

“We will depend on our own forces. We have never counted on the US alone. We have worked together when our interests were the same,” Muslim added.

He also warned that conflicts between Iran, Russia, and Turkey will continue in Syria.

Muslim reiterated that Erdogan’s threats against Syria Kurdistan and Syria are serious and that the PYD is making preparations to stand against any possible intervention.

Reporter’s code: 50101