ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Thursday claimed to have repelled several attacks near Manbij and Tishreen Dam by Syrian National Army (SNA) militants, alleging the presence of Chechen, Turkestani, and Uzbek nationals among the attackers. “With the participation of hundreds of mercenaries, including members of the so-called ‘Guardians of Religion organization’ from Uzbek, Turkestani, and Chechen nationalities, the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries launched violent attacks” read a statement from the SDF. The al-Qaeda-aligned Hurras al-Din (Guardians of Religion) group broke away from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in 2018. Since then, the two groups have competed for influence and territory, with HTS periodically arresting Hurras al-Din members, particularly in 2020, and engaging in conflicts with the group. There have been attempts to reconcile their differences. The US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American troops in the Middle East, has repeatedly reported conducting strikes against Hurras al-Din members and leaders, viewing the group as a threat to its allies and American presence in the region. In 2023, the US designated Sami Mahmud Mohammed al Uraydi, a leader of the Hurras al-Din, as “a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” offering a reward of up to five million dollars for information on his identification or location. The SDF has been the main ally of the US-led global coalition against ISIS on the ground. The SDF statement added that they countered the attacks, destroying six armored vehicles as well as killing and wounding “dozens of mercenaries.” Last month, the United States brokered a ceasefire between the SDF and Turkey, though Ankara denied having agreed to the arrangement. However, there have been reports of continued clashes between the SDF and the SNA which has recently launched expanded attacks on the SDF, particularly near the strategic Tishreen Dam on the Euphrates River. The Pentagon emphasized on Monday that the ceasefire is “still holding.”
