Talal Ali Silo (طلال سلو; also transliterated Telal Silo, Talal Sallou) is a Syrian Turkmen[3] military personnel who was the official Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesperson from 2014 until his surrender or defection[4] to Turkey in November 2017, covering major SDF operations and battles against the militant group ISIL.[5][6] His departure marked the first major defection among the SDF's top ranks.[3]
Talal Silo طلال سلو | |
|---|---|
 Silo in 2016 | |
| Birth name | Talal Ali Silo طلال علي سلو |
| Born | 1965 (age 58–59)[1] Al-Rai, Syria[2] |
| Allegiance |
|
| Service | Syrian Armed Forces (1985–2004) |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit |
|
| Commands | Spokesman of the Syrian Democratic Forces (2015–17) Commander of the Seljuk Brigade (2013–15) |
| Battles / wars | Syrian Civil War |
During an interview, he alleged that during the SDF capture of Raqqa from ISIL, thousands of ISIL fighters—many more than first reported—left the city under a secret U.S.-approved deal. However, US officials described Silo's comments as “false and contrived”.[7] The deal is argued as a strategic move by the SDF and coalition forces.[8] The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian National Army (SNA) have presented different versions of the reasons behind Silo's departure - reflecting the complexities of the Syrian Civil War.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "US-backed SDF spox Talal Sillo defects from PKK-aligned group, crosses into Turkey". Daily Sabah. 15 November 2017.
- ^ "Find out about the biography of the spokesperson of "QSD" Col. Talal Sallou". Buyer Press. 31 August 2016.
- ^ a b c Najjar, Farah (2017). "What is the future of the Syrian Democratic Forces?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 13 June 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Reports: SDF spox Silo defects to FSA, Turkey". Rudaw English. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
- ^ "U.S.-backed Syria forces say Turkey pressured commander into defecting". Reuters. 2017-11-16. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
- ^ "statement to Public opinion". SDF official. 2017-11-16. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
- ^ Evans, Dominic; Coskun, Orhan (2017), Defector says thousands of Islamic State fighters left Raqqa in secret deal, Reuters, retrieved 13 June 2016
- ^ "SDF commander's claims of Turkish allegiance raise eyebrows". Al-Monitor. 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
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