The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched a counteroffensive on Tuesday against the Ankara-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) to retake areas near Syria’s northern border with Turkey.
Since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s totalitarian regime earlier this month, clashes have escalated between the SDF and the SNA, which seized control of the strategic city of Manbij and its surrounding areas.
These weeks-long battles come as Syria, ravaged by more than a decade of war and economic hardship, is grappling with its political future after more than fifty years under the Assad dynasty’s rule.
Ruken Jamal, spokesperson for the SDF’s Women’s Protection Unit (YPJ) told the Associated Press that the group is advancing toward Manbij and is now within seven miles of the city center.
The SDF also reclaimed four villages near the Tishrin Dam, a crucial energy source, following intense overnight fighting.
#Syria 🇸🇾: A new video posted by a member of “Syrian Democratic Forces” (#SDF) during their attack against “Syrian National Army” (formerly #TFSA) in Tishrin, #Aleppo.
The SDF member seemingly used an AKS-74U carbine fitted with a 45-round RPK-74 magazine and a silencer. pic.twitter.com/Xi3BtPHukv
— War Noir (@war_noir) December 24, 2024
#Syria 🇸🇾: “Syrian Democratic Forces” (#SDF) destroyed #Turkey-supplied 🇹🇷 M113 APC and an M-46 Artillery Gun belonging to “Syrian National Army” (#TFSA) near #Manbij, #Aleppo.
Group seemingly used several FPV Kamikaze Drones armed with PG-7VT Tandem-HEAT RPG warheads. pic.twitter.com/pwbhy5tcMy
— War Noir (@war_noir) December 24, 2024
At the same time, Turkish forces have escalated their military actions, conducting airstrikes on Kobani, a key border town. Turkey has long accused the SDF of links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which it deems a terrorist organization, and aims to establish a buffer zone free of Kurdish fighters along the border.
⚡️Scenes from the Kobani direction, SNA (FSA) firing upon SDF (Kurds) positions. pic.twitter.com/xHISunhcN5
— Lou Rage (@lifepeptides) December 11, 2024
Thousands of residents in northeast Syria rallied in support of the SDF, raising flags of the Kurdish administration and chanting slogans against Turkish aggression. Protesters called for unity among Syrians and an end to foreign intervention.
#Syria: hundreds of people protested in the city of #Hasakah today, in support of the #SDF and a comprehensive peace deal for the entire country. pic.twitter.com/lzFmquU7HC
— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) December 24, 2024
Jamal Aliwi, a prominent Arab leader, urged all communities in Syria to resist efforts to divide the country, accusing Turkey of attempting to weaken the SDF to influence negotiations over Syria’s political future. He described the SDF as a force uniting Syria’s diverse groups and preserving its territorial integrity.
The situation in northern Syria remains volatile. The SDF, a key U.S. ally in the fight against the Islamic State, is also vying to secure Kurdish-held territories in the face of Turkish-backed offensives.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports dozens of casualties on both sides since fighting began earlier this month.
