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Tensions between Syria’s Islamist-led Interim Government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reached the northern city of Aleppo, with reports suggesting that both sides were preparing for a possible battle there.
Government forces and SDF have been exchanging strikes near the town of Deir Hafer, which is located some 40 kilometers to the east of Aleppo, for the last few weeks.
Large reinforcements were deployed on both sides of the front there in recent days, with the SDF even bringing in its elite commandos units, trained and equipped by the United States and recently reinforced with highly-experienced soldiers and officers from the former Syrian military.
While a battle was expected to start near Deir Hafter, Aleppo itself became the focal point of the tensions on October 6 after government forces blocked all entrances to the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, which are controlled by the SDF.
The Interim Government provided no explanation for the move, which provoked protests in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh with hundreds of Kurds taking to the streets to demand lifting the siege of their neighborhood.
The protestors chanted in support of the SDF, and called on the group to “liberate” Aleppo. They also brought in a bulldozer and attempted to remove a barrier set up by government forces.
At the same time, government forces deployed large reinforcements around the two neighborhoods, including infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks.
The issue of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh was supposed to be resolved in the framework of the integration agreement the Interim Government and the SDF signed last March. However, talks on implementing the agreement stalled in recent months, and no progress whatsoever was made.
Just a few hours before the Interim Government blockaded the Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo, U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack and Adm. Brad Cooper, head of the Central Command, met with SDF leader Mazloum Abdi in northeastern Syria.
Barrack said the meeting included “substantive” discussions. “Forward momentum for @POTUS’s vision of ‘give Syria a chance’ by allowing Syrians to unite with all Syrians in a renewed effort for cooperative peace and prosperity,” he wrote on X.
For his part, Abdi said that the talks focused on “the political integration in Syria, preserving the country’s territorial integrity, and creating a safe environment for all components of the Syrian people, in addition to ensuring the continued efforts to combat ISIS in the region.”
A recent report by Al-Monitor revealed the Pentagon put on hold a plan announced earlier in the year to reduce the number of troops deployed in northeastern Syria due to instability there.
Barrack’s visit was likely meant to push for the implementation of the March agreement. The visit may have, however, triggered the Interim Government, which blockaded Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in response.
While the Interim Government has been very cautious about a confrontation with the SDF, its main backer, Turkey, has been reportedly pushing in this direction.
Even a small confrontation in Aleppo could quickly get out of control, expanding to Deir Hafer and other points along the Euphrates Rivers, all the way down to the governorate of Deir Ezzor. Turkey is guaranteed to back the Interim Government if this happens.
As for the U.S., it will either abandon the SDF in favor of its emerging alliance with the Interim Government, or continue to back the group, dramatically changing the balance of power in Syria.
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both sdf and the islamist rulers of syria are tools of us and israel..
there is one reason why syria can’t find peace, and it’s due to one very specific, rather “peaceful” cult, i mean religion, sorry.
gpt-5 pro is already solving complex mathematical proofs, why are these pissfool islamists not doing anything for their country except destroy it?
this is a us-zionist plot to let the opposing parties fight each other and israel
will enter when both are weakened and destroyed to occupy the land.
kurds still collaborating with the americans.