Reporting by Abdullah Al Ghadawi; Translation by Yusra Ahmed
(Zaman Al Wasl)- Colonel Abdel Jabbar al-Akaidi confessed of the difficulty of Kobani’s battle as the Islamic State ISIS controling most of it. He wishes that Kobani’s battle would be a start for national unity between Arab abd Kurds. He insisted on overthrowing Bashar al-Assad’s regime as well as fighting ISIS.
In special interview with Zaman al-Wasl, Colonel Abdel Jabbar al-Akaidi, the Free Syrian Army's commander, described situation in Ain al-Arab “Kobani” as “extremely difficult”. He revealed that Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham “ISIS” controls 60%-70% of the city. “However, we cannot announce it’s fall, as fighters of the Free Syrian Army and Kurdish groups are still there, beside the difference in powers started to balance after support from Bishmarka and FSA arrived.”
In regard to arming, the leader of the Free Syrian Army “FSA” revealed that they had not had any support from anybody and they used their own arms. He added that they did not request any arms from the US-led alliance, and the alliance did not offer them any arms as well.
Al-Akaidi declared that no coordination between them and the National Coalition, as the National Coalition had not contacted the FSA’s leadership at all, even to insure their safety.
Al-Akaidi denied any conflict or disagreement between them as FSA and the Kurds forces, especially the Democratic Union Party “PYD”, “despite PYD had disappointed us in one battle, that was temporary conflict, and now there is ISIS, which is our a common enemy with Bashar al-Assad’s regime, and we fight against both of them”
The Commander of the FSA confirmed that sending forces to “Kobani” had not affected Aleppo’s front, because all fighters were from other fronts especially those who had withdrawn from areas after becoming under ISIS’s control, besides the fighters who were in turkey.
Colonel al-Akaidi was grateful for Turkey’s support and facilitating way to Kobani, “Turkey always proved its sincere and honest intents toward the Syrian Revolution”
Al-Akaidi confirmed that 150 member of Bishmaka forces entered Konbani, and they were armed with mortars and artilleries. He did not consider their entry to Kobani as an interference in Syria’s interior matters, as forces on ground called for Bishmarka to help them in fighting ISIS.
The FSA Commander denied accusing PYD of cooperation with Syrian regime, but he confessed that he accused them of betraying the FSA in one battle, but recently, circumstances has changed and alliances must change accordingly, as they both wanted to defeat ISIS and Bashar al-Assad, and they work together in one operation room.
He believed that US-led international alliance had made a big mistake when concentrated its main effort to suppress ISIS while left the Syrian regime killing Syrian people without any punishment.
The Colonel justified changing his attitude toward ISIS, and PYD from friends to enemy and vice versa, by explaining that in politics, circumstances always change, and yesterday’s enemies could become today’s allies if they face a common enemy, “first ISIS fought besides the FSA and did not killed Syrians, but when it started expiating Syrians and killing them, we stood against them, and now we and PYD have common enemies, ISIS and Regime, therefore we cooperated together”
In regard to the FSA’s 5000 fighters who are going to be trained in Saudi Arabia, the leader denied knowing anything about he matter, he claimed hearing about it from media only.
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