SDF Commander: We Are Ready to Deter Any Turkish Attack

A member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). (AFP file photo)
A member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). (AFP file photo)
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SDF Commander: We Are Ready to Deter Any Turkish Attack

A member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). (AFP file photo)
A member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). (AFP file photo)

Tensions have been high in northeastern Syria along the battle lines separating the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed factions of the Syrian National Army in wake of an escalation of shelling by the two sides.

The tensions have mounted in the areas surrounding the town of Tal Tamr, Nahiyat Abou Rasein, Zurkan in the Hasakah province’s northern countryside, and the two n of Ain Issa in Raqqa.

A senior SDF military leader warned that the forces would repel any aggression against their lands and areas of influence.

“We are ready to face any aggression by the Turkish occupation army or its mercenaries, and we have enough strength and determination,” said Mattai Hanna, the official spokesman for the Syriac Military Council, one of the SDF formations.

“Our forces are responding to the artillery shelling as it is our legitimate right to defend our lands,” he added, noting that the Turkish attacks targeted villages and areas populated by unarmed civilians, as well as schools and power lines.

“All of this aims to create chaos and instability in the region in order to undermine the democratic project that the Autonomous Administration and its military forces seek to implement,” Hanna underlined.

A military official and residents of Tal Tamr reported that the Turkish army and loyal Syrian factions launched a violent attack on the Assyrian villages of Tal Jumaah, Tal Shanan and Tal Kaifji, northeast of Tal Tamr overnight on Sunday.

Aram Hanna, the official spokesman for the SDF, noted the silence of the international community and countries involved in Syria over these attacks, accusing Ankara of seeking to create a state of chaos and instability.

“The Turkish attacks affect our efforts in the fight against terrorism and the pursuit of active and sleeper cells that come from Turkish-controlled areas, which have become fertile ground for the export of terrorism,” he stated.



Israeli Officials Signal They Want UN to Remain Key Gaza Aid Channel, Says Senior UN Official

 Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP)
Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP)
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Israeli Officials Signal They Want UN to Remain Key Gaza Aid Channel, Says Senior UN Official

 Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP)
Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP)

Israeli officials have signaled they want the United Nations to remain the key avenue for humanitarian deliveries in Gaza, the deputy head of the World Food Program said on Friday, noting the work of a controversial US aid group was not discussed.

"They wanted the UN to continue to be the main track for delivery, especially should there be a cease fire, and they asked us to be ready to scale up," Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the UN food agency, told reporters on Friday after visiting Gaza and Israel last week.

The US, Egypt and Qatar are trying to broker a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.

Hamas said on Wednesday that the flow of aid was one of the sticking points.

Israel and the United States have publicly urged the UN to work through the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, but the UN has refused, questioning the group's neutrality and accusing the distribution model of militarizing aid and forcing displacement.

Skau said he met with Israeli authorities at different levels last week and that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation "did not come up in those conversations."

"I think there were rumors of the UN being pushed out, but it was very clear in my engagement that they want the UN to continue to be the main track in delivery," Skau said.

DEATHS

Since Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on Gaza on May 19, allowing limited UN deliveries to resume.

The GHF launched its operation, using private US security and logistics firms to transport aid to distribution hubs, a week later.

The United Nations human rights office said on Friday that it had recorded 615 deaths near GHF sites and 183 deaths "presumably on the route of aid convoys" operated by the UN and other relief groups.

The GHF has repeatedly said there have been no deaths at any of its aid distribution sites. The group said on Friday that it has so far delivered more than 70 million meals in Gaza.

The US State Department has approved $30 million in funding for the GHF, which touts its model as "reinventing aid delivery in war zones."

Israel and the United States have accused Hamas of stealing aid from the UN-led operations, which the group denies.

Throughout the conflict, the United Nations has described its humanitarian operation in Gaza as opportunistic - facing problems with Israel's military operation, access restrictions by Israel into and throughout Gaza, and looting by armed gangs.

But the UN has said its aid distribution system works, and that was particularly proven during a two-month ceasefire, which Israel abandoned in mid-March.

The UN said it got 600-700 trucks of aid a day into Gaza during the truce and has stressed then when people know there is a steady flow of aid, the looting subsides.