Kurdish-Led Force Clashes with Turkish-Backed Fighters in Northern Syria
In a recent development in northern Syria, a Kurdish-led force engaged in a confrontation with Turkish-backed opposition fighters, resulting in the reported deaths of at least 13 militants, as reported by activists.
The opposition activists have attributed this clash to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), although the U.S.-backed group has not officially claimed responsibility for the incident.
Turkey, on the other hand, maintains that Syria’s primary Kurdish militia is aligned with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group responsible for an insurgency against Turkey dating back to 1984, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of lives.
Since 2016, Turkey has conducted three major operations in northern Syria with the objective of clearing areas under Kurdish control and establishing a buffer zone along its border. This has led to regular clashes between the two groups, alongside Turkey’s airstrikes and drone attacks on targets within Kurdish-controlled territories.
Amidst these tensions, it’s essential to note that the UN Special Envoy for Sudan has resigned, raising concerns about a potential full-scale civil war.
SDF Accused of Attacking Turkish-Backed Fighters
According to opposition activists, the recent incident involved SDF forces attempting to infiltrate the opposition-held city of Tal Battal in northern Aleppo province. They launched an attack on positions occupied by Turkish-backed militants and the al-Qaida-linked group Hayat Tahrir al Sham.
Additionally, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based opposition war monitor, reported a death toll of 14 in the clash. The Observatory mentioned that mines exploded during the dawn attack.
It is important to remember that the SDF has played a significant role as the primary U.S. ally in Syria’s campaign against the Islamic State group, which was defeated on the battlefield in March 2019. Presently, the United States has approximately 900 troops stationed in eastern Syria, providing support to SDF forces in their efforts to target militant Islamic State sleeper cells.