US-backed Kurdish forces controlling the autonomous region in northeastern Syria reaffirmed their commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity, rejecting any plans for division, according to Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi.
“We support the unity and integrity of Syrian territory and reject division projects that threaten the country’s unity,” Abdi stated in a written message to AFP.
Abdi’s remarks followed what he described as a “positive” meeting between Kurdish leaders and the new Damascus authorities late last month, amid intensified clashes between the SDF and Turkish-backed groups in northern Syria.
“We support the new administration’s efforts to ensure stability in Syria and foster constructive dialogue among Syrians,” he said, urging the authorities to take steps for a nationwide ceasefire.
Turkish Pressure and Renewed Conflict
Syria’s Kurds maintain control over the resource-rich northeast and have enjoyed de facto autonomy throughout much of the civil war. The SDF, backed by the US, led the campaign that expelled ISIS from its last Syrian stronghold in 2019.
However, Turkey views the SDF’s main faction, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been engaged in a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. Since 2016, Turkey has launched multiple operations targeting the SDF.
Clashes reignited recently as Turkish-backed factions ramped up their offensive against SDF positions. Meanwhile, Islamist-led rebels, including the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, launched a push toward Damascus in December.
Negotiations and Civilian Casualties
An official in Damascus confirmed that Sharaa met with SDF representatives on December 30, describing the talks as “positive.” Sharaa has previously called for the integration of Kurdish forces into the national army, emphasizing that all weapons must remain under state control.
The SDF reported that Turkish shelling killed five civilians en route to the Tishreen Dam in Aleppo province on Wednesday, as they protested against continued Turkish attacks.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that over 100 fighters were killed in recent days of fierce clashes between Turkish-backed groups and the SDF, marking one of the deadliest outbreaks of violence in recent months.