-
Violent Clashes in Southern and Eastern Manbij in Aleppo Countryside
Violent clashes continued between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed armed factions in northeastern Syria, with new confrontations erupting in the city of Manbij on Thursday.
The SDF reported that fighting was concentrated in the southern and eastern parts of the city, confirming their defense against attacks by the factions loyal to Ankara, which targeted villages in the area, as well as the front line near the Tishrin Dam located in the region.
Since the end of November 2024, the SDF, which has a Kurdish majority among its ranks, has been facing an escalating attack from Turkish-backed factions seeking to control its territories, including the town of Tabqa and the provincial center of Raqqa to the north, as well as the towns of Khafsah and Maskanah west of the Euphrates River. The SDF also controls the provinces of Hasakah and northern eastern Deir ez-Zor.
The presence of the SDF near the Turkish border has raised concerns in Ankara, which has threatened multiple times to eliminate these forces unless they relinquish their weapons. It is worth noting that the SDF capitalized on the gradual withdrawal of the Syrian army from predominantly Kurdish areas throughout the years of conflict, seeking to establish "autonomous rule" in the north.
Furthermore, the SDF has increased its presence following the recent withdrawals of the Syrian army before the fall of Bashar Al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024.
These violent clashes come after a series of meetings and consultations between the SDF and the "new political administration" in Damascus, led by Ahmad Al-Shara, a former leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. These consultations aim to reach understandings between the two sides and resolve the crisis associated with the SDF.
It is noteworthy that Al-Shara has previously stated on several occasions that all armed factions in Syria, including the SDF, are required to surrender their weapons and join the new Ministry of Defense.
---
