File image.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) accused the forces of Islamist-led Interim Government of targeting its fighters near the town of Tel Hafer, some 40 kilometers to the east of the northern city of Aleppo, with drones, in what it described as an attempt to “destabilize the security and stability” of its areas.
In a statement released late on October 5, the Kurdish-led group said that a drone launched by government forces hit a military vehicle in the outskirts of Deir Hafer, causing minor injuries to three fighters, and an Internal Security Forces patrol in the same area, wounding four more fighters.
This was not the first time government forces have employed drones in attacks on the SDF. In fact, tensions around Deir Hafer were sparked by a drone attack that killed eight civilians in the village of Umm al-Tineh near Deir Hafter over the night of September 20 and 21.
“These repeated attacks clearly expose the efforts of the Damascus government’s militants to create chaos and destabilize northern and eastern Syria, attempting to undermine the state of safety and order experienced by the people of the region,” the SDF warned in its latest statement, affirming that it will “confront all attempts to undermine the security and stability of the region.”
Right after the release of the statement, the government-run Al Ekhbariya TV accused the SDF of shelling villages of Rasm al-Harmal, al-Shuwailikh, Hamima and al-Kita close to Deir Hafter.
Heavy clashes along the front in Deir Hafter were reported by Syrian media afterward, with both sides exchanging artillery fire.
Both sides deployed large reinforcements on this front in recent days. Government forces brought in heavy artillery and main battle tanks. It also blocked most roads leading to the front, including a key road leading to the town of Ithriyah in the eastern Hamas countryside.
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From its side, the SDF brought in its elite commandos units, trained and equipped by the United States, and recently reinforced with highly-experienced soldiers and officers from the former Syrian military.
In March, the Interim Government and the SDF signed a breakthrough agreement meant to integrate the group into the institutions of the new state. However, talks on implementing the agreement stalled in recent months, and no progress was made.
The recent escalation by the Interim Government suggests that it is preparing an offensive against the SDF, one that could go beyond Deir Hafter. Turkey, the main backer of the government, is reported to be pushing in this direction.
However, with over 100,000 fighters, the SDF is guaranteed to put on a fight. Ultimately, the deciding factor will be the stance of the United States. Either Washington will abandon the Kurds in favor of its emerging alliance with the Islamists ruling the country now, or it will continue to back them, tipping the balance of power in the country to a point where the situation in the entire country could change.
The blocking of Ithriyah road shows that the Interim Government is aware of this threat. Any attack by the SDF in this direction could prove catastrophic for government forces, which will likely collapse in the desert all the way to Homs and Damascus. This is exactly what happened to the forces of the regime of former President Bahsar al-Assad when the Islamists rebel reached Khanaser last December.
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do you want some marxist sauce with your islamist burger ?
of course uncle sam will abandon the kurds salafi/takfiri head choppers are there best friends.
israel/uk/us want to continue to weaken all groups. as long as they continue to fight each other, they continue to weaken each other. this is all consistent with greater israel policy. it’s ethnic cleansing. it’s a slow growing tumor in the region.
american proxy vs. american proxy… lol
syrian democratic forces? a so called interim government ? peace? there is no interest. the creators of greater israel will never be happy. never.
without lies, islam dies!
the trolls return, with nothing to offer but ghost written hasbara