Syria’s government has accused the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of being responsible for attacks that resulted in the deaths of 11 soldiers on Wednesday. However, the SDF has refuted key aspects of the government’s claims, attributing at least one fatal explosion to Syrian troops moving explosives.
These incidents have jeopardized a four-day ceasefire that was declared on Tuesday following a series of clashes in northeastern Syria. The Syrian government has alleged that an SDF drone strike killed seven soldiers while they were securing a captured military base containing explosives, labeling it as a dangerous escalation. On the other hand, the SDF has denied carrying out any such strike.
The SDF, previously a primary ally of the United States in Syria, asserted that the explosion occurred during the movement of explosives by Syrian soldiers. They have accused the Syrian army of breaching the ceasefire by launching attacks in multiple locations.
Subsequently, Damascus reported that a total of 11 soldiers were killed and 25 wounded in SDF attacks on army positions on the first day post the ceasefire announcement. The SDF did not provide a specific response to this broader accusation.
The recent government offensive against the SDF has cast uncertainty on years of Kurdish self-governance in northeastern Syria and could impact the country’s relationships with the United States and Turkey, as well as the fate of detained Islamist militants.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a key supporter of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, emphasized that the SDF, which Turkey deems a terrorist organization, must disarm and dissolve immediately to prevent further violence.
The United States, which previously backed the SDF in combating Islamic State militants in Syria, did not intervene in the latest offensive and encouraged the SDF to consider the government’s integration proposal. The U.S. clarified that its collaboration with the SDF was no longer valid but expressed concerns about the situation of detained Islamic State fighters and associated civilians under SDF supervision.
In a separate development, the U.S. military announced a mission in Syria to transfer Islamic State detainees to Iraq. The SDF confirmed its acceptance of the ceasefire terms, pledging not to engage in military actions unless provoked.
The intricate geopolitical landscape in northeast Syria, bordered by Turkey and Iraq, comprises regions with Arab and Kurdish majorities and hosts the majority of Syria’s energy resources. Syrian troops were observed positioned outside the remaining key Kurdish-held cities, Hasakah and Qamishli, awaiting the SDF’s response to the ceasefire proposal.
The shifting dynamics in Syria over the past year have reshaped alliances and strategies, with the SDF losing ground after rebels, led by former al-Qaeda commander Sharaa, ousted Bashar al-Assad, the Iran-backed president. The SDF, previously in control of a significant portion of Syria, faced challenges from Assad’s regime, aided by Sharaa’s evolving relationship with the U.S.
Notably, Turkey has been involved in peace negotiations with the PKK and views the eradication of SDF influence in Syria as pivotal to the process. Turkish President Erdogan welcomed the ceasefire in Syria and expressed hope for the SDF’s full integration into the Syrian state, underscoring the potential for a new phase in the country’s future. Erdogan and U.S. President Trump discussed the Syrian situation, particularly focusing on detainees and ongoing efforts against Islamic State, during a recent phone call.