ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Thursday announced they had repelled "infiltration attempts and artillery attacks" from groups "affiliated with the Damascus government" in eastern Aleppo's Deir Hafer area.
“Our forces firmly repelled infiltration attempts and artillery attacks launched by unruly groups affiliated with the Damascus government in the Deir Hafer area, completely thwarting these operations,” the SDF announced in an X post on Thursday.
It warned that "any further attempts at aggression will be met with a decisive response that safeguards our region’s security and preserves the dignity of its inhabitants."
“Our forces reassure all residents that the situation is fully under control and that they remain in constant readiness to confront any further violations," the SDF said.
Backed by the United States, the SDF functions as the de facto military force in the Kurdish-majority northeast Syria (Rojava). It remains a key partner of the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS).
The SDF and groups it claims to be associated with Damascus, have engaged in sporadic clashes mostly around regions where the Kurdish-led force holds sway.
The flare-up between the SDF and Damascus is straining an integration deal signed in March by Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi. The agreement aims to fold the SDF into the Syrian state military structure, recognize the Kurds as an integral part of Syria, implement a nationwide ceasefire, and enable the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns.
Talks on implementing the agreement have stalled for several reasons, including the SDF insisting on integrating into the Syrian army as a unit while Damascus wants them to do so as individuals.
In late August, five SDF members were injured in an attack purportedly carried out by Damascus-affiliated groups in the eastern Deir ez-Zor province. The Kurdish-led force at the time held the Syrian interim government “directly responsible” for the assault.
Earlier that month, the Kurdish-led internal security forces (Asayish), affiliated with the SDF, reported that two of their members were injured when a “suicide drone” launched by the Syrian interim government struck a security checkpoint in northern Aleppo.
