ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Clashes broke out again early Monday between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian government forces in northern Syria, the SDF said, blaming Damascus for the aggression. The US special envoy for the country called for calm and dialogue.
The US-backed SDF said in a statement that factions affiliated with the Syrian interim government “launched an attack on four of our positions” in Deir Hafer in Aleppo province. “Our forces confronted the attack and responded as necessary in defense of our positions and fighters. Clashes ensued and continued for 20 uninterrupted minutes.”
It held Damascus “fully responsible” for the attack, stressing that they reserve the right to respond “with full force and determination.”
The clashes come a day after both sides exchanged blame for an attack in northern Syria’s Manbij city. The clashes injured four Syrian government troops and three civilians, according to the state-run SANA news agency.
The renewed attacks are placing a landmark integration deal between Damascus and the Kurdish-led northeast Syria (Rojava) administration at risk.
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi signed a deal in March to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state apparatus and recognize the Kurds as an integral part of Syria.
The deal, which has largely stalled in recent months, also includes a countrywide ceasefire and stipulates the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns.
The SDF is insisting on integrating as a unit while Damascus wants individual integrations.
US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said on X that the recent clashes between the SDF and Damascus forces are “disturbing” and called on both sides to “uphold calm and resolve differences through dialogue, not bloodshed. Syria deserves stability. Syrians deserve peace.”
The state-affiliated forces were also engaged in clashes with Druze militants in the southern province of Suwayda on Sunday, days after a US-brokered fragile ceasefire.
Barrack said diplomacy should be sought for resolving both issues.
“Disturbing violence erupted yesterday in Suwayda, and in Manbij. Diplomacy is the best way to stop violence and build a peaceful, lasting solution. The US is proud to have helped mediate a solution in Suwayda and to be co-mediating with France the reintegration of the northeast into a unified Syria,” he said on Monday.
