Clashes in Northeast Syria Claim 23 Lives as Turkish-Backed Rebels Attempt Infiltration
Violence erupted in northeast Syria as clashes between the Syrian regime army and Turkey-backed armed factions resulted in the deaths of 23 individuals. Pro-Ankara rebels attempted to infiltrate Kurdish-held territory, prompting a response from the Syrian army and local forces affiliated with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The clashes took place in the Tal Tamr area of Hasakeh province, near the border territory controlled by Ankara and its proxies.
The conflict follows days of separate clashes in Kurdish-held parts of Deir Ezzor province, sparked by the detention of the head of a local military body by US-backed, Kurdish-led fighters. As a result of the violence in Deir Ezzor, 23 SDF fighters, 39 local fighters, and nine civilians have been killed. A curfew was implemented in the area to restore order.
Senior officials from the US Embassy in Syria held meetings with Kurdish-led forces and community leaders in eastern Syria to address the need for de-escalation after the recent surge in deadly violence. The discussions focused on resolving the grievances of Deir Ezzor residents, preventing outsider interference, and minimizing civilian casualties.
NEA DAS Goldrich met with Syrian opposition leaders in Istanbul to discuss recent developments in Deir El-Zour, Suwayda & Daraa. He affirmed U.S. support for the key role of the Syrian opposition in achieving a just & inclusive political solution consistent with UNSCR 2254. pic.twitter.com/RqzkR05gr6
— U.S. Embassy Syria (@USEmbassySyria) September 4, 2023
The province of Deir Ezzor is predominantly Arab and divided between SDF control to the east of the Euphrates River and Assad regime forces and Iran-affiliated militias stationed on the west bank. Local civilian and military councils manage areas under Kurdish control.
Turkey has conducted multiple incursions into northern Syria since 2016, targeting Kurdish forces and gaining control over border areas. In a 2019 agreement brokered by Russia, Syrian regime forces were deployed along parts of the northern border in exchange for Turkey halting its offensive.
While the situation in Deir Ezzor is showing signs of calming down, both the SDF and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights emphasize the need for prompt resolution through military means or engagement with Arab tribes in the region. The SDF, backed by the United States, played a crucial role in defeating the self-declared caliphate of the Islamic State group in Syria in 2019.
The conflict in Syria, which began in 2011, has resulted in the deaths of over half a million people. The majority of casualties can be attributed to the Assad regime’s bombardment of civilian areas.
