Syrian regime call for Kurdish forces to join ranks of Assad military

The Syrian regime have called on Kurdish forces to join the state's army and police, as Turkey-backed rebels launched an offensive into northern Syria.

The appeal comes after regime forces were deployed along parts of Syria's northeastern border following a deal with Kurdish authorities earlier this month.

It came after Turkish forces launched an offensive into areas controlled by the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces on 9 October.

Clashes erupted between Turkey and Syrian regime forces in northern Syria this week with more reports of fighting on Wednesday.

Damascus has offered to bring Kurdish forces into the fold.

"The general command of the armed forces is ready to welcome members of SDF units who are willing to join its ranks," said a Syrian defence ministry statement carried by SANA said.

Syrian regime forces are looking to recover lands lost to opposition forces at the start of the war, and the first time that government troops have patrolled the area since 2012.

"The general command of the armed forces is ready to welcome members of SDF units who are willing to join its ranks," said a Syrian defence ministry statement carried by state news agency SANA.

It said all Syrians, including the Kurdish minority, are confronting "one enemy".

Syria's interior ministry said it was willing to provide police services to residents of the northeast, calling on members of the Kurdish internal security services, known as Asayish, to join its ranks, SANA reported.

The Turkish military and Syrian rebels aim to establish a 30-kilometre (20-mile) deep buffer zone along the Syria-Turkey border.

Kurdish forces turned to the Syrian regime forces to halt the Turkish advance, when they were abandoned by the US, with a ceasefire announced shortly after.

A 10-kilometre-deep strip is set to be jointly patrolled by Russian and Turkish troops under their deal.