Russia Presses SDF to Merge with Syrian Regime Forces

Security forces block an entrance to the village of Humayra, where US coalition forces conducted an overnight airborne operation, in the Ghandoura district in the north of Syria's Aleppo province on June 16, 2022. (AFP)
Security forces block an entrance to the village of Humayra, where US coalition forces conducted an overnight airborne operation, in the Ghandoura district in the north of Syria's Aleppo province on June 16, 2022. (AFP)
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Russia Presses SDF to Merge with Syrian Regime Forces

Security forces block an entrance to the village of Humayra, where US coalition forces conducted an overnight airborne operation, in the Ghandoura district in the north of Syria's Aleppo province on June 16, 2022. (AFP)
Security forces block an entrance to the village of Humayra, where US coalition forces conducted an overnight airborne operation, in the Ghandoura district in the north of Syria's Aleppo province on June 16, 2022. (AFP)

Russia has been pressuring the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to merge with the Syrian regime government forces.

The revelation was made as more military reinforcements continued to be deployed to northern Syria amid Turkey’s threat to carry out a new offensive against the Kurdish SDF.

Commander of the SDF Mazloum Abdi had met with commander of the Russian forces in Syria Alexander Chaiko on June 10 for talks on military affairs, border security and Russia’s suggestion to merge the SDF with the regime forces.

Kurdish sources said Abdi reminded Chaiko that the government forces are deployed in regions held by the SDF under an agreement reached with the Kurdish force and Moscow.

He stressed that the number of forces will remain the same and that they played the role of a buffer between the Turkish army and pro-Ankara Syrian factions.

SDF expressed its readiness to coordinate with and fight alongside the government forces against any Turkish incursion, but there is no need to send additional troops, added Abdi, according to the sources.

He also underscored the need for Syria to use its air defenses against Turkish jets.

Moreover, Abdi urged Russia to bolster its forces in the cities of Manbij and Ain al-Arab (Kobani) in eastern Aleppo.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had threatened to target these areas should his forces carry out a new offensive in Syria.

Russian forces are already deployed in small numbers in these areas.

Abdi said that Russia, as a guarantor of the de-escalation agreements, should prevent any side from exploiting the Turkish threats to make gains on the ground – a reference to government efforts to consolidate its grip over all Syrian territories.



Israeli Strikes Kill 14 in Gaza and Destroy Heavy Equipment Needed to Clear Rubble 

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike that hit machinery, in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike that hit machinery, in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2025. (Reuters)
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Israeli Strikes Kill 14 in Gaza and Destroy Heavy Equipment Needed to Clear Rubble 

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike that hit machinery, in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike that hit machinery, in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2025. (Reuters)

Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 14 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and destroyed bulldozers and other heavy equipment that had been supplied by mediators to clear rubble. A separate strike in Lebanon on Tuesday killed a member of a local group.

Israel's 18-month offensive against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, raising fears that much of it may never be rebuilt. The territory already had a shortage of heavy equipment, which is also needed to rescue people from the rubble after Israeli strikes and to clear vital roads.

A municipality in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza said a strike on its parking garage destroyed nine bulldozers provided by Egypt and Qatar, which helped broker the ceasefire that took hold in January. Israel ended the truce last month, renewing its bombardment and ground operations and sealing the territory's 2 million Palestinians off from all imports, including food, fuel and medical supplies.

The strikes also destroyed a water tanker and a mobile generator provided by aid groups, and a truck used to pump sewage, the Jabaliya al-Nazla municipality said.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strikes. The military says it only targets fighters and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the group operates in densely populated areas.

Israeli strikes kill 14, mostly children

An Israeli airstrike early Tuesday destroyed a multistory home in the southern city of Khan Younis, killing nine people, including four women and four children, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies. The dead included a 2-year-old girl and her parents.

“They were asleep, sleeping in God’s peace. They had nothing to do with anything,” said Awad Dahliz, the slain girl's grandfather. “What is the fault of this innocent child?”

A separate strike in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp killed three children and their parents, according to the Gaza Health Ministry's emergency service.

Israel's air and ground war has killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 fighters, without providing evidence.

The war began when Hamas-led gunmen attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 people hostage. They are still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

Hamas has said it will only free the remaining hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire. Israel has said it will keep fighting until the hostages are returned and Hamas has been either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile. It has pledged to hold onto so-called security zones in Gaza indefinitely.