Latest news with #SDF-Damascus
Rudaw Net
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Kurdish-led forces dismantle suspected ISIS cell in al-Hol
Also in Syria Rojava Kurds fear Kurdish forces integration with Syria state amid surge in minority violence Unidentified gunmen target SDF in Deir ez-Zor US repatriates child from Rojava ISIS detention camp UN Envoy urges reforms in Syria's political transition, compromise in SDF-Damascus talks A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Wednesday captured two suspected Islamic State (ISIS) operatives in an operation in northeast Syria's (Rojava) notorious al-Hol camp with support from the US-led coalition. The SDF and the US-led anti-ISIS coalition 'conducted a targeted operation inside al-Hol Camp. The operation successfully led to the capture of two ISIS operatives responsible for internal security operations within the camp,' The People's Protection Units (YPG) - the SDF's backbone - said in a statement. It said that both operatives had participated in the jihadists' operations in Syria and neighboring Iraq, before moving to the notorious camp in an attempt to 'maintain the group's influence.' The US-backed SDF was instrumental in defeating ISIS in 2019 and capturing thousands of the group's fighters. The force continues to operate in coordination with hundreds of US troops as part of the US-led coalition against ISIS. Both the SDF and the Kurdish-led internal security forces (Asayish) are also primarily responsible for securing the Roj and al-Hol camps in Rojava, which house thousands of individuals suspected of ISIS ties. Since its territorial defeat, ISIS has been trying to regain its strength. However, it ramped up its efforts particularly after a coalition of opposition groups, led by the now-dissolved Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in early December toppled the regime of longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. On Tuesday, an ISIS attack in the eastern Deir ez-Zor province killed an SDF fighter and injured two others.
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Unidentified gunmen target SDF in Deir ez-Zor
Also in Syria US repatriates child from Rojava ISIS detention camp UN Envoy urges reforms in Syria's political transition, compromise in SDF-Damascus talks Two Kurdish forces, one civilian injured in motorcycle attack in Rojava Most abducted Yazidis held in Syria amid Damascus inaction: Rescue office A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced late Tuesday that unidentified gunmen carried out two attacks in the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor, killing one and injuring two others. "One of the staff members at the House of the Wounded in the town of Abu Khashab, located in the Deir Ezzor countryside, was martyred last evening after being shot by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle in front of his home. The attack also left his wife seriously injured; she was transferred to the hospital for urgent medical care," read a statement from the SDF. The US-backed force added that one of its fighters was injured in a separate incident in the province while returning to his home. "He was shot three times and sustained moderate injuries. He was taken to the hospital, where medical sources confirmed his condition is stable," the SDF added. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Islamic State (ISIS), which rose to power and seized swathes of Iraqi and Syrian land in a brazen offensive in 2014 but was territorially defeated in both countries by 2019, is active in Deir ez-Zor and often carries out attacks against the SDF. The group has exploited the security vacuum in the country since Bashar al-Assad's regime was collapse in December. Kurdish authorities in northeast Syria (Rojava) have repeatedly warned of the growing threat posed by ISIS. In January, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said there is a 'need to intensify efforts to continue the fight against ISIS if we don't want to see it make a comeback.' The SDF said on Friday that ISIS had carried out three attacks on its forces in Dier ez-Zor province, killing a member and injuring another.
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
US repatriates child from Rojava ISIS detention camp
Also in Syria UN Envoy urges reforms in Syria's political transition, compromise in SDF-Damascus talks Two Kurdish forces, one civilian injured in motorcycle attack in Rojava Most abducted Yazidis held in Syria amid Damascus inaction: Rescue office Bedouin families forced to leave Suwayda despite years of peaceful coexistence A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An American child who spent their entire life inside a displacement camp for individuals linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) in northeast Syria (Rojava) was brought home last week, the State Department announced Tuesday, urging other countries to follow suit for their nationals. 'Last week the United States repatriated a U.S. citizen minor from a displaced persons camp in northeast Syria for unification with the child's family,' the State Department said in a statement.'Our interagency efforts have given this child, who has known nothing of life outside of the camps, a future free from the influence and dangers of ISIS terrorism.' Thousands of individuals with suspected ISIS ties are held in al-Hol and Roj camps, both located in Rojava's Hasaka province and controlled by the Kurdish-led and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Al-Hol is the larger of the two, housing 34,927 people as of April. Of these, 15,681 were Iraqis, 15,861 Syrians, and 6,385 foreigners, according to data obtained by Rudaw English. The SDF serves as the de facto military of Rojava and is the main local partner of the US-led international anti-ISIS coalition. Around 30,000 people from over 70 countries remain in the two camps, most of them children under the age of 12, the State Department said, stressing that 'they deserve a chance at life outside the camps.' Al-Hol has become notorious for its poor conditions and has been described as a breeding ground for terrorism. Since ISIS's territorial defeat in 2019, tens of thousands of people linked to the group - mostly Iraqis and Syrians - have been held there, alongside others from across the world who traveled to join the jihadists' so-called caliphate. Iraq has been repatriating its citizens from the camps in groups and providing rehabilitation. Many other countries, however, remain reluctant to take back their nationals over fears of extremist ideology spreading at home. 'The only durable solution to the humanitarian and security crisis in these displaced persons camps in northeast Syria is for countries of origin to repatriate, rehabilitate, reintegrate, and where appropriate, ensure accountability for their nationals,' the State Department said. The same applies to former ISIS fighters held in detention centers in Rojava, Washington added, urging countries 'not to look to others to solve the problem for them,' and to share responsibility for repatriation efforts. Iraq plans to host a conference in Geneva in September to encourage more countries to repatriate their citizens from the camps, the country's national security advisor announced last month. Rojava and US officials have repeatedly called on foreign governments to take responsibility for their nationals still stranded in the camps.
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Two Kurdish forces, one civilian injured in motorcycle attack in Rojava
Also in Syria UN Envoy urges reforms in Syria's political transition, compromise in SDF-Damascus talks Most abducted Yazidis held in Syria amid Damascus inaction: Rescue office Bedouin families forced to leave Suwayda despite years of peaceful coexistence Syria agrees to further talks with Israel, state media reports A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Internal Security Forces (Asayish) in northeast Syria (Rojava) stated that two of their members and a civilian were injured in a motorcycle attack in Raqqa province. In a Monday statement, the Asayish said the attack occurred in the evening that day in al-Mansoura city, in the eastern part of al-Tabqa district. 'Two assailants riding a motorcycle carried out the treacherous attack targeting two members of our forces' using Klashnikov rifles, the statement said. Tabqa is located roughly 40 kilometers southeast of Raqqa city and is under the control of the Kurdish-led administration in Rojava. "The cowardly assault resulted in the injury of two of our forces, as well as a civilian who happened to be at the location at the moment of targeting," the statement added without explicitly naming the side behind the attack. The attack follows a series of recent assaults on Kurdish-led forces in the region. Earlier in July, the Asayish reported that five of their members were killed and two others were injured in an attack they attributed to 'terrorist groups.' On the same day, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the attack was carried out by an Islamic State (ISIS) cell. SOHR added that since the beginning of 2025, it has 'documented 126 ISIS operations' in areas administered by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES). 'These operations included armed assaults, targeted killings and bombings,' resulting in the deaths of 51 individuals - 34 fighters from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), nine civilians, and eight ISIS members. The US-backed SDF was instrumental in defeating ISIS in 2019 and capturing thousands of the group's fighters. The force continues to operate in coordination with hundreds of US troops as part of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Both the SDF and Asayish are also primarily responsible for securing the Roj and al-Hol camps in Rojava, which house thousands of individuals suspected of ISIS ties. Since its territorial defeat in 2019, ISIS has been trying to regain its strength. However, it ramped up its efforts particularly after a coalition of opposition groups, led by the now-dissolved Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in early December toppled the regime of longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Rudaw Net
6 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
French FM speaks with SDF chief, expresses support for Syrian Kurds
Also in World KRG requested defence system from US: Official Paris to host next round of SDF-Damascus talks Israeli, Syrian officials meet in Paris US must pressure Syria to protect minority rights: USCRIF A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke with Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on Friday to confirm that Paris will host the next round of talks between the SDF and Damascus. Barrot also reiterated France's support for Syrian Kurds, according to the French foreign ministry. 'This exchange provided an opportunity to confirm the upcoming holding in Paris of a negotiation session between the Syrian transitional authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces with a view to implement the March 10 agreement, under the auspices of France and the United States,' read a statement from the ministry. 'The minister reiterated France's support for defining a negotiated and peaceful solution for the unification of Syria, the integration of the population of northeastern Syria into the political transition process, and the guarantee of Kurdish rights,' said the statement from the French foreign ministry. Earlier in the day, Barrot met with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. The meeting, in which they discussed negotiations between the SDF and Damascus, was 'very frank and productive,' according to the French ministry. Abdi and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on March 10 signed an agreement that outlines the future of the SDF and Rojava. While parts of the agreement have been implemented, key provisions - such as integrating the US-backed SDF into Syrian state forces - remain contested. Kurdish leaders have voiced concern over the centralization of power and the prominence of Islamic law in the transitional constitution adopted by Syria's interim government. They have repeatedly denied accusations of separatism and have called instead for federalism. Kurds held a national conference earlier this year, calling for decentralization. Following the conversation between Barrot and Abdi, an official from the Syrian foreign ministry told the state-run TV channel al-Ikhbariya that France has agreed to 'pressure the SDF to reach the solution desired by Syrians.' Qutaiba Idlibi, director of the American Affairs Department at the ministry, said that the scheduled meeting between the SDF and Damascus in Paris is the continuation of talks with the Kurdish-led force about their 'full integration.' In recent interviews, SDF representatives have said the force must retain its own weapons and join the Syrian army as a block. 'Handing over weapons is a red line. It is not possible to hand over weapons,' Farhad Shami, head of SDF media centre, told Syria's Alyaum TV on Wednesday. SDF spokesperson Abjar Dawoud told Saudi-based Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday that the SDF could join the Syrian army 'through a constitutional and legal agreement that recognizes the specificity of our forces,' adding that they refuse to 'surrender' their weapons 'in light of the increase in the pace of violence' in Suwayda province, where at least 1,300 people were killed in a week of clashes. He said it is also 'impossible' for the SDF to hand over its weapons while the Islamic State (ISIS) remains a threat to northeast Syria. An unnamed senior official from the Syrian government told al-Ikhbariya on Thursday that the SDF's demands are not acceptable.
