US reaffirms partnership with SDF amid Deir ez-Zor tensions

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States said on Tuesday that the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are their “essential” partners in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria amid fresh armed clashes between the SDF and pro-regime fighters in the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor.

“The US forces that are in Syria, and our focus in Syria is on the enduring defeat of ISIS, and that will continue to remain our focus. As you know, the SDF have been good partners in that fight, essential partners in that fight, and that continues to be the basis for our relationship and our cooperation with the SDF,” Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told Rudaw during a press briefing on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, pro-regime National Defense Forces launched an overnight attack on the SDF in the province. Fighting between both sides has continued since then. Many civilians, mostly children, have been killed in the attacks by the pro-regime forces. 

The SDF said on Monday it carried out an attack on regime forces and pro-regime groups in Deir ez-Zor in retaliation for recent attacks. Twenty regime and pro-regime fighters were killed in the attack. 

“Syria, given the fact that much of it is essentially considered ungoverned space, you know, for many years now, which is what has enabled groups like ISIS to foment, continues to be a challenge. But the US presence in Syria, and our focus in Syria is on the enduring defeat of ISIS, and so that will continue to remain,” the Pentagon spokesperson added. 

Pro-regime fighters frequently clash with the SDF in the strategic province. The Russians have reportedly intervened, leading to lifting of an embargo the SDF imposed on two security squares in Hasaka and Qamishli. 

Control of Deir ez-Zor province, which borders Iraq, is now split between the SDF and the Iran-backed Syrian regime. It is also home to many of the country’s key oilfields, such as Omar and Conoco, which the global coalition helps the SDF to control.

Diyar Kurda contributed to this article.