Tensions between Syria’s transitional government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) escalated this week after Turkey warned that Damascus could resort to military force against the group, following days of deadly clashes in and around Aleppo. The SDF played a critical role in aiding U.S. forces to defeat the Islamic State in Syria.
Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, said Thursday that Syria’s use of force against the SDF seems an option, adding he hoped the crisis could be resolved through dialogue, according to Reuters.
The remarks came after several days of fighting between Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters that displaced tens of thousands of civilians and left at least 23 people dead, Reuters reported.
The warning underscores mounting regional pressure as negotiations aimed at integrating the SDF into Syria’s national army remain stalled nearly a year after a U.S.-backed framework agreement was signed.
The United States remains deeply involved in efforts to prevent the confrontation from spiraling, with U.S. Central Command mediating daily on the ground in Syria alongside partners such as France, the U.K., Turkey and Jordan. „CENTCOM is on the ground inside Syria playing an active mediating role every single day,“ said Charles Lister, senior fellow and director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute.
„Fundamentally, the United States remains the SDF’s biggest and most important backer, supporter, provider of finance, training and, to an extent, defense,“ he said.
Lister said Washington has already used significant leverage, including compelling SDF leader Mazloum Abdi to sign the March 2025 framework agreement.
DEADLY STRIKE ON US TROOPS TESTS TRUMP’S COUNTER-ISIS PLAN — AND HIS TRUST IN SYRIA’S NEW LEADER
„We would not have had the March framework agreement had it not been for basically Gen. Mazloum being strong-armed onto a helicopter, flown to Damascus, and told that he needed to sign that agreement,“ he said.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the SDF accused Syrian government forces and Turkey of what it described as a „dangerous military escalation“ across eastern Aleppo’s countryside, including Deir Hafer, Maskanah and the area surrounding the Tishreen Dam.
The SDF claimed Syrian government forces carried out more than a dozen attacks using artillery, mortars and suicide drones and said civilian infrastructure, including a post office and a bakery, was struck.
The SDF also said Turkish Bayraktar drones struck multiple SDF positions near Maskanah and Tabqah. Turkey and the Syrian government had not publicly responded to the claims.
The crisis stems from a failed March 2025 agreement intended to merge SDF forces into Syria’s Ministry of Defense.
„There’s no question that Damascus has been a tough negotiator,“ Lister said. „Having said that, the government has also bent significantly.“
TRUMP DECLARES IMPORTANCE OF NOT DERAILING ‘SYRIA’S EVOLUTION INTO A PROSPEROUS STATE’
Lister claims the deal stalled because of internal divisions within the SDF. „The fact that no deal has been implemented is quite frankly because the SDF is not a united, cohesive movement,“ he said. „There are elements within the SDF who absolutely do not want this deal to be implemented.“
He said some factions are deliberately delaying implementation. „Their calculation is clearly that the longer that they can stall, they hope that the Syrian transitional government will do something to destroy its international credibility,“ Lister said. „It’s just a stall-and-wait-and-see approach.“
„That approach is intrinsically dangerous,“ he said. „It only guarantees conflict.“
„Over the past two or three days, there have been a number of Turkish drone strikes on SDF military bases in this frontline district in eastern rural Aleppo,“ Lister said.
„Turkey is primed to get back involved,“ he said. „When Turkey has gone all out on the SDF, the SDF haven’t stood a chance.“
According to Lister, only pressure from the highest level could alter the trajectory.
„The only thing that’s going to change the equation here is if President Trump makes it publicly clear that this deal has to be made and implemented expeditiously,“ he said.
„This is not contained,“ Lister warned. „All the preparations are clearly being made for this to become an active military zone unless serious diplomacy pulls both sides off the brink.“
A statement issued by the U.S. Mission of the Syrian Democratic Council accused Syria’s transitional authorities of targeting Kurdish areas in Aleppo and undermining the political process. „What is happening now is not merely a military escalation by the Damascus authorities,“ the statement said. „It is an effort to undermine the prospects of building a new Syria.“
The council said Syrian forces were taking control of Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo „through force, intimidation, and coercion,“ and warned that the escalation could destabilize the region. The group also warned that continued fighting could benefit extremist groups.
„The primary beneficiary of this escalation will be ISIS, allowing terrorism to re-emerge and once again threaten international peace and security,“ the statement said.
„We call for an immediate and independent investigation into the crimes committed against Kurds in Aleppo. We urge US decision-makers to monitor the conduct and behavior of the Damascus authorities, take the necessary measures to halt the escalation, and implement the March 10 agreement in full—without any delay or pretext whatsoever.“
Reuters contributed to this report.
Turkey says Syria using force is an option against US-backed fighters who helped defeat ISIS 2026 IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2025 2026-01-15 18:48:32 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law
