Syrian army, Kurdish-led SDF exchange blame over northern Syria attack
Suspected ISIS militants kill school principal in east Syria
Damascus forms committee to probe Suwayda violence
US concerned groups remain out of Syrian government control
Rojava donates $1 million to aid campaign for Syrian Druze
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syria's defense ministry and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) early Sunday traded blame for an attack in northern Syria's Manbij city, amid a stalled integration deal between Damascus and the northeast Syria (Rojava) administration.
The defense ministry said that the army 'is carrying out precise strikes targeting the sources of the fire used by the SDF forces in bombing' military and civilian positions near Manbij, which injured four soldiers and three civilians, according to a statement published by the state-run SANA news agency.
But the US-backed SDF rejected the accusations, accusing Damascus-affiliated forces of 'continuing to provoke and launching repeated attacks on contact lines in the Deir Hafer area,' and saying that their retaliation was carried out in self-defense.
'On the evening of Saturday, these factions indiscriminately shelled populated areas with more than ten artillery rounds, without justification. Our forces exercised their full right to self-defense and responded to the sources of fire,' the SDF said in a statement.
The Kurdish-led force further called on Damascus to adhere to a ceasefire between the sides.
The attack risks derailing a landmark integration deal signed in March between Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi.
The deal seeks to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state apparatus, recognizes the Kurds as an integral part of Syria, includes a countrywide ceasefire, and stipulates the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns.
Differences over the methods of implementation have stalled the deal, with the SDF insisting on integrating as a unit while Damascus wants individual integrations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
36 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
SDF repels attack in Deir Hafer, accuses Damascus of escalation
Shafaq News – Deir Hafer The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Monday that they had repelled an early morning assault on their positions in al-Imam village, southeast of Aleppo, blaming pro-government factions for a 'deliberate escalation' threatening regional stability. According to a statement, armed groups affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government launched a coordinated attack at 3:00 a.m., targeting four SDF-held positions in the Deir Hafer area. The SDF forces engaged the attackers immediately, and clashes continued for 20 minutes without interruption. Calling the attack a 'repeated aggression,' the group warned that its fighters are 'more prepared than ever to exercise their legitimate right to respond with full force.' The confrontation followed an earlier escalation on Saturday, when SDF units shelled Syrian army-held areas in the Manbij countryside, northeast of Aleppo. According to Syria's Ministry of Defense, the strike wounded four soldiers and three civilians, prompting the army to launch retaliatory attacks targeting the source of the fire. The SDF rejected the government's version of events, insisting its strikes were in self-defense. The group claimed it was responding to overnight shelling by 'uncontrolled elements' within Syrian army ranks, who allegedly launched more than ten artillery shells into residential neighborhoods in Deir Hafer.
Rudaw Net
3 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
State-affiliated factions, Kurdish-led forces clash again in northern Syria
Also in Syria Civilian killed in 'terrorist cell' attack on Kurdish forces in Rojava Two dead in Suwayda clashes despite ceasefire Israeli army seizes weapons in southern Syria raid Syrian army, Kurdish-led SDF exchange blame over northern Syria attack A+ A- 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 calls 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.
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Syria builds security alliances amid ‘Western pressure'
Shafaq News – Damascus Syria is expanding its international security partnerships to counter mounting Western pressure, with Pakistan viewing this cooperation as an opportunity to enhance its own strategic influence, Syrian analyst Muhannad al‑Abdullah told Shafaq News on Monday. The remarks came as a senior Syrian delegation—led by Deputy Interior Minister for Civil Affairs Ziad al-Ayesh and top General Intelligence Directorate officials—visited Pakistan yesterday to strengthen bilateral coordination on intelligence-sharing, counterterrorism, organized crime, and security training, according to the Interior Ministry. Al‑Abdullah added that the visit reinforces longstanding ties, pointing to Pakistan's consistent engagement with Syria on intelligence matters despite regional instability. Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria's transitional government has expanded diplomatic outreach, conducting official visits to Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and other countries.
