ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Damascus authorities said that one Syrian soldier was killed in clashes early Tuesday morning with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), accusing the Kurdish-led forces of “targeting” Syrian army positions. The statement came less than a day after the SDF accused Damascus-affiliated groups of engaging in provocative activities across multiple areas under SDF control.
The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted the defense ministry’s media department as saying that “two SDF-affiliated groups attempted to infiltrate Syrian Arab Army positions in the Tal Ma'az area, east of Aleppo, at approximately 2:35 a.m.” The statement added that “following this escalation, fierce clashes erupted, resulting in the martyrdom of a Syrian Army soldier.”
Syrian army units “responded to the sources of fire in accordance with the rules of engagement and thwarted the infiltration attempt, forcing the [SDF] elements” to “withdraw to their original positions,” the ministry said.
The defense ministry also accused the SDF of continuing to “target army deployment sites in the Deir Hafer and Manbij areas,” located northeast and east of Aleppo, respectively, “on a permanent basis.”
It urged the Kurdish-led forces to “adhere to the agreements signed with the Syrian state and to stop infiltration, shelling, and provocative actions against army positions and residents in Aleppo and its eastern countryside,” adding that “the continuation of these actions will lead to new consequences.”
The Syrian Defense Ministry’s remarks followed a stern warning from the SDF on Monday, accusing Damascus-affiliated groups of repeatedly violating a recently signed ceasefire and engaging in provocative actions in areas under SDF control.
The SDF stated that “groups affiliated with the Damascus government have been attempting to provoke our forces,” particularly “near the town of Deir Hafer [east of Aleppo] and surrounding villages.” The Kurdish-led forces stressed their restraint but warned that continued targeting would compel them to “respond in legitimate self-defense.”
SDF chief Mazloum Abdi and Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa on March 10 signed a landmark agreement which outlines the integration of “all civil and military institutions in northeast Syria [Rojava] under the administration of the Syrian state” and establishes a “ceasefire across all Syrian territory.”
A follow-up agreement, signed in early April reportedly with American representatives, established a joint security framework for the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh in northern Aleppo, alongside provisions for continued prisoner exchanges between the two sides.
In Monday’s statement, the SDF reported that Damascus-affiliated groups had intensified patrols near Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh, with drones flying continuously overhead, one of which exploded on the outskirts - actions the SDF condemned as clear violations. They urged the Syrian government to “control these rogue elements” to prevent the collapse of the fragile accords and called for de-escalation to preserve peace in Aleppo and beyond.
Tensions have escalated amid difficulties implementing the SDF-Damascus agreements.
On Saturday, the Syrian interim government abruptly canceled planned talks in Paris with the SDF, citing a recent unity conference in Hasaka, eastern Rojava, as a breach of the Abdi-Sharaa agreement.
The conference, which included over 400 representatives from minority communities across Syria, called for amendments to the transitional constitution, which critics argue grants sweeping powers to interim President Sharaa while marginalizing non-majority groups.
A government source told state media, “The government affirms this conference has dealt a blow to the negotiation effort and will not participate in any upcoming Paris meetings.”
