Turkish-backed forces, Kurds clash in strategic Syrian town

Karwan Faidhi Dri

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Fierce clashes took place on Wednesday between Turkish proxies and Kurdish forces in northern Syria’s strategic town of Tel Tamr, with each claiming territorial gains. 

The deadly clashes come amid Turkish president Erdogan’s visit to Washington D.C. to discuss the issue with US officials. 

“Fierce clashes continue between Syrian Democratic forces (SDF) and pro-Turkish groups in northern from Tel Tamr to Abu Rassin," reported the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

Located about 30km away from the Turkey-Syria border, the predominantly-Christian town of Tel Tamr saw fresh fighting between Turkish-backed groups and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Four SDF fighters were killed and seven others, according to a statement from the force. 

The SDF added that “the Turkish invasion army and its terrorist factions, by drones, attempted to attack and occupy the villages of Rihaniyeh, Amriyah, Irbin, Faisaliah, Minhar and Mahmudiyah,” referring to villages located to the north of the town. 

Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria has now entered its second month. The operation is backed by Syrian proxy forces, some of whom are suspected to be previous members of the Islamic State (ISIS).

Turkey signed two deals with the US and Russia to temporarily pause its invasion in return for the withdrawal of the SDF fighters from its borders. However, the ceasefire did not last long.

The SDF and Turkey have been blaming each other for the violation of the two US and Russia-brokered deals. 

The SDF has allowed the deployment of Syrian regime forces to its borders with Turkey, including Tel Tamr, in an attempt to curb further Turkish attacks. The regime forces, however  have been attacked by Turkish-backed groups several times, killing a number of them.

The SDF-affiliated Rojava Network news outlet reported the SDF reclaiming control of a number of villages in Tel Tamr.

However, pro-Turkish militias claimed control of “a number of farms” in the vicinity of the Christian town. 

The Turkish Ministry of Defence has denied accusations of ethnic cleansing, and has said it does not target minority groups. 

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi told Rudaw last week that the town has  geographic significance. 

“The Turkish state’s goal is to control Tel Tamr because it is a strategic area and all roads pass through there. Tel Tamr is a smaller version of Syria. There are Kurds, Christians and Arabs. It is also known as a Christian city but there are other [ethnic and religious] groups as well,” he said during the exclusive Rudaw interview. 

Abdi tweeted on the Tel Tamr attacks in light of Trump's meeting with Erdogan, adding that Turkey has seized control of 1,100 square kilometers since the US-brokered ceasefire.

Turkey regards the SDF as a terrorist organization due to its alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Turkey. The PKK has been fighting for the cultural and political rights of Kurds in Turkey for decades. 

In addition to driving Kurdish fighters out of its borders, Turkey wants to resettle millions of Syrian refugees - who have fled Syria since the outbreak of civil war in 2011- in the so-called safe zone. 

Hundreds of Kurdish and Armenian protesters have gathered in front of the White House to demonstrate against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's official visit to the US.  

Two Armenian and Kurdish advocacy groups have been campaigning for the protest for days, citing Turkey’s invasion of northern Syria, violations and its denial of Armenian genocide - to name a few.