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SDF, Asayish on alert in Syria's Raqqa
SDF, Asayish on alert in Syria's Raqqa

Shafaq News

time4 days ago

  • Politics
  • Shafaq News

SDF, Asayish on alert in Syria's Raqqa

Shafaq News – Damascus (Updated at 00:20) The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Internal Security Forces (Asayish) placed all positions and checkpoints at Raqqa's entrances on high alert, sources close to the Syrian government told Shafaq News. No official statement has been issued on the reasons for the mobilization. The move comes a day after the Syrian Ministry of Defense sent substantial reinforcements to eastern Aleppo and Raqqa, deploying units to Tishreen Dam, Deir Hafer, and Zamla in response to repeated SDF attacks on government forces, according to the German Press Agency (DPA). A military source told DPA that the SDF's withdrawal from the March 10 agreement, combined with recent clashes and the outcomes of the Hasakah conference, signaled it was 'no longer pursuing a political solution,' adding that a military operation east of the Euphrates 'remains the only option' to regain control of the area. In a statement, the SDF accused Damascus of engaging in 'provocative movements', alleging repeated ceasefire violations. It claimed that government-affiliated groups had been attempting to provoke its forces for days, amassing in certain areas, increasing patrols, and conducting near-constant drone flights — including one that detonated on the outskirts of Sheikh Maqsoud. Provocative Movements by Damascus Government Forces in the Vicinity of Deir Hafer and the Neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and AshrafiehFor several days, groups affiliated with the Damascus Government have been attempting to provoke our forces, engaging in suspicious movements… — Syrian Democratic Forces (@SDF_Syria) August 11, 2025 Damascus has also cancelled a planned meeting in Paris between government and SDF delegations, citing the Hasakah conference, held in SDF-controlled territory. However, a Syrian government source told Al Jazeera that an SDF delegation has since arrived in Damascus for a new round of talks, aimed at building on the agreement signed earlier between Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi.

Syria's new phase: Cracks in allied agendas and Russia's cautious return
Syria's new phase: Cracks in allied agendas and Russia's cautious return

Al Arabiya

time5 days ago

  • Politics
  • Al Arabiya

Syria's new phase: Cracks in allied agendas and Russia's cautious return

Syria has entered a new phase. The 'honeymoon' that prevailed since the fall of the regime at the end of last year has ended. Many developments point to this, including: the 'unity conference' in Hasakah east of the Euphrates, the French–Turkish rivalry over the 'Kurdish file,' the Amman talks on the 'Druze file,' and the cautious return of the Russian role. It would not have been possible for the unity conference – hosted by the Autonomous Administration in northeastern Syria – to be held without French support and no American objection, since the military and special forces of both countries are present east of the Euphrates as part of the international coalition. The participation of Druze sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri and the head of the 'Alawite Council' Ghazal Ghazal, through recorded video statements in the conference, cannot be considered a mere coincidence; rather, it marks the beginning of forming an 'alliance of minorities' opposing the position of the government and the 'Sunni majority.' There is thus a push toward a decentralized system in Syria, which was evident in the final statement of the conference supporting the principle of decentralization, the drafting of a new constitution, and the formation of a new army in the country. This trend was reinforced by subsequent steps, as the three main Druze authorities took measures to unify their position: Sheikhs Hammoud al-Hanawi and Yusuf al-Jarbou issued a recorded statement echoing al-Hijri's positions, openly criticizing the government's conduct, calling for an international investigation, and commending the stances of several countries, including Israel. The additional step that followed the 'unity conference' was the start of Jordan and the US arranging a ministerial-level negotiation track in Amman between the government and Druze authorities, with the participation of officials from several countries. In reality, this track reflects a desire to create a regional process to replace the Paris international track in dealing with two complex issues: the Kurdish file and the Druze file. Paris had previously hosted Syrian–Israeli talks to discuss the future of the southern provinces bordering Jordan, where Tel Aviv presented a list of demands that included the withdrawal of all heavy and medium weapons from the south, allowing the establishment of local councils and autonomous administrations in the provinces of Sweida, Daraa, and Quneitra, under Israeli air cover. Paris had also hosted Syrian–American–French talks addressing the Kurdish file and implementing the agreement reached between President Ahmad al-Sharaa and the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, on March 10. All available information indicates that the message delivered by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during his meeting with al-Sharaa in Damascus a few days ago aimed to freeze the Paris track. The 'unity conference' came to reinforce the desire to dismantle the French track, given that Ankara considers Paris 'biased toward the Kurds' while Paris sees Ankara as biased toward al-Sharaa's government. The result was that the Syrian government officially announced it was freezing negotiations with the Kurds in Paris. The French–Turkish rivalry over the Kurds and the Turkish–Israeli rivalry over the Druze file and southern arrangements are indicators of emerging cracks within the 'alliance of allies' of the Syrian government. The months of unified collective support by Arab, regional, and Western states for Damascus's position have ended, and a new phase has begun: the conflict between foreign agendas in Syria. Another development now further complicating the scene is the sign of a Russian return to Syria. The visits to Moscow by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra, and Intelligence Chief Hussein Salama – where they met President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials – mark the beginnings of a new relationship between Damascus and Moscow. This involves key issues: resuming Russian arms supplies to Syria, joint management of the Hmeimim and Tartus bases, economic relations, Russian patrols in various areas of Syria, and the fate of Bashar al-Assad and senior regime officials currently in Moscow. It is most likely that Damascus, which had received 'unlimited Western support' over the past seven months, has begun to see a change in the tone, demands, and actions of Western countries following the events in the coastal region and Sweida, along with the continued Israeli strikes and incursions. It now seeks to reach out to Russia for specific objectives: creating an eastern counterbalance to the West, containing Israeli movements, ensuring stability in Syria's coastal region, and maintaining military balance on the ground by operating Qamishli Airport and conducting patrols in northeastern Syria. Turkey is unlikely to be far from this rapprochement between Moscow and the new Syria. Will the US and European countries allow Russia, already engaged in Ukraine, to return to Syria? Will Damascus accept decentralized administrations? Will coordination between the 'components' move from political to military? How will Damascus respond to the changing landscape, demands, and rhetoric? What will be the nature of the relationship between the militarily involved parties – the US, Turkey, Russia, and Israel?

US Forces in Syria Intercept Iranian Missile Attacks on Bases
US Forces in Syria Intercept Iranian Missile Attacks on Bases

Asharq Al-Awsat

time16-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Asharq Al-Awsat

US Forces in Syria Intercept Iranian Missile Attacks on Bases

US forces in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province intercepted several Iranian missiles aimed at their military bases over the weekend, local sources said, amid heightened tensions and fears of retaliatory attacks by Iran-backed militias. Air raid sirens wailed and warplanes roared overhead late Saturday as US and coalition troops responded to what appeared to be a coordinated strike by Iranian-linked groups. The missiles were reportedly launched from across the Iraqi border, where Tehran-backed militias operate with influence. According to local monitoring groups, media activists, and eyewitnesses, US and coalition forces successfully intercepted an Iranian missile targeting the Kharab al-Jir base near the town of Rmelan. The missile fell in the surrounding area without causing any casualties. In a separate incident, three Iranian missiles were shot down near the al-Shaddadi base in southern Hasakah, prompting a state of high alert. Another missile was intercepted near the Marsho roundabout in central Hasakah before it could reach the coalition base in the Ghuweiran district. A military official from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said the targeted bases had activated air defense systems and radar networks ahead of the missile attacks, anticipating possible strikes. He confirmed that air raid sirens were triggered and US warplanes carried out intensified flights over the bases and adjacent border areas. Local residents reported seeing flares lighting up the sky late Friday near the Kharab al-Jir base in Rmelan countryside -- a site that has repeatedly come under rocket and drone attacks in recent months. Witnesses said the base's air defenses intercepted an Iranian drone as it flew overhead, preventing it from reaching its target. Washington has long accused Iran-backed militias operating from Iraqi territory - just 15 kilometers away - of launching such attacks. The same SDF official, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity, said the missiles that landed near coalition bases in Kharab al-Jir, Rmelan, and al-Shaddadi were clearly intended to strike US forces stationed in northeast Syria. 'The flight path of the Iranian attacks on Israel is far from the areas targeted over the past two days,' they noted, suggesting the strikes were part of a broader campaign to pressure US positions in the region. On June 12, an Iraqi militia known as Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada threatened to deploy dozens of suicide attackers against US interests if the conflict with Iran escalated. A local monitoring platform on Facebook published images and videos documenting the Iranian missile strikes on Syrian territory. At least one missile reportedly landed near the town of al-Hol, about 45 kilometers east of Hasakah. Another Iranian missile struck the village of Shalala, located between al-Hol and al-Shaddadi towns, near a base housing international coalition forces, local sources reported. There were no immediate reports of casualties or material damage. Social media platforms tracking the strikes urged residents to avoid approaching missile debris, warning: 'Please stay away from fragments and remains of the missiles intercepted by coalition forces.' Following Israel's recent strikes on Iranian targets, US forces in Hasakah province implemented a series of precautionary measures, a military source told Asharq Al-Awsat. These included activating radar and air defense systems and relocating advanced equipment - including radar and air defense units - from Iraq into Syria earlier this month. The source said the US also increased troop movements between its four main bases in the area in anticipation of a possible regional escalation. Residents reported near-daily US fighter jet patrols over the city of al-Malikiyah and surrounding areas, extending to the Semalka crossing that connects northeast Syria with the Faysh Khabur border point in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. Warplanes were also seen flying over the main road between Qamishli and Tal Tamr, where the coalition maintains a base in the village of Qasrak. These military maneuvers come shortly after Washington announced a partial drawdown of its forces in eastern Syria, including the closure of several positions in Deir Ezzor province. Among the largest bases to be shut were the al-Omar oil field and the Conoco gas facility.

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