Syria’s Ministry of Defence accused the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of firing rockets at an army position near Manbij on Saturday, injuring four soldiers and three civilians, according to state news agency SANA.
The military said it repelled the attack and launched “precise strikes” in response. It called the incident “irresponsible and without justification.”
The U.S.-backed SDF denied initiating the strike, saying it responded to an unprovoked artillery assault by “factions affiliated with the Syrian Transitional Government.” The group reported no casualties.
The SDF called on Syrian authorities to take action: “While we reaffirm our commitment to respecting the current de-escalation arrangements, we call on the relevant authorities in the Syrian government to take responsibility and bring the undisciplined factions under their control,” the SDF said.
The clash comes months after a deal was signed to integrate the SDF into Syria’s state institutions. The agreement followed the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 and the appointment of President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Signed in March, the agreement calls for the integration of civil and military bodies under the state and formally recognizes Kurdish cultural and political rights. However, key issues, particularly the incorporation of SDF military forces and the scope of decentralization, remain unresolved.
The deal sets a deadline of December 31, 2025, for the full integration of both the SDF’s civilian and military structures into the Syrian state.
