SDF, Syrian Regime Agree on Defense Plan to Repel Turkish Attack

Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters take part in a military parade between the border towns of Qatmah and Azaz in the opposition-held northern part of the Aleppo province, on July 2, 2022. (AFP)
Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters take part in a military parade between the border towns of Qatmah and Azaz in the opposition-held northern part of the Aleppo province, on July 2, 2022. (AFP)
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SDF, Syrian Regime Agree on Defense Plan to Repel Turkish Attack

Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters take part in a military parade between the border towns of Qatmah and Azaz in the opposition-held northern part of the Aleppo province, on July 2, 2022. (AFP)
Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters take part in a military parade between the border towns of Qatmah and Azaz in the opposition-held northern part of the Aleppo province, on July 2, 2022. (AFP)

The Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced that it had agreed to a joint defense Russia-mediated plan with regime forces loyal to President Bashar Assad should Turkey launch an attack against northern Syria.

Turkey has for weeks been threatening to launch an operation against fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the People's Protection Units (YPG), a Syrian-Kurdish group it considers to be part of the PKK. The PKK is designated as terrorist by Ankara.

YPG spokesman Nouri Mahmoud said: “We are working and coordinating with Syrian officials to develop a defense plan to confront any Turkish aggression.”

He spoke of “positive developments” in this regard, adding that it was “pressing and vital” for the Syrian parties to agree on a final solution.

He called on the international coalition against ISIS, the United States and Russia to exert pressure on Turkey to prevent it from carrying out the offensive.

“We are in constant contact with the international coalition and Russia. We hope they will play an effective role in preserving the current relative stability and protecting the civilians in northeastern Syria,” said the spokesman.

The plan between the SDF and regime calls for forming a joint operations command room and exchanging field coordinates. It will allow the deployment of more regime forces in SDF regions.

Head of the SDF Media Center Farhad Shami described the agreement with the regime as more of a military understanding aimed at repelling any potential Turkish invasion.

In remarks to the press, he said 550 regime soldiers have arrived in SDF-held regions on Monday, effectively activating the understanding.

They deployed in the town of Ain Issa and the cities of al-Bab, Manbij and Ain al-Arab (Kobane).

The troops will fight alongside the SDF should Turkey go ahead with its threat to invade the area, added Shami.



Syrian Govt Says Fighting in Sweida Halted

19 July 2025, Syria, Sweida: Bedouin and tribal fighters gather in the city of Sweida, as smoke rises from burning houses amid clashes between tribal fighters and local Druze factions in southern Syria. Photo: Moawia Atrash/dpa
19 July 2025, Syria, Sweida: Bedouin and tribal fighters gather in the city of Sweida, as smoke rises from burning houses amid clashes between tribal fighters and local Druze factions in southern Syria. Photo: Moawia Atrash/dpa
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Syrian Govt Says Fighting in Sweida Halted

19 July 2025, Syria, Sweida: Bedouin and tribal fighters gather in the city of Sweida, as smoke rises from burning houses amid clashes between tribal fighters and local Druze factions in southern Syria. Photo: Moawia Atrash/dpa
19 July 2025, Syria, Sweida: Bedouin and tribal fighters gather in the city of Sweida, as smoke rises from burning houses amid clashes between tribal fighters and local Druze factions in southern Syria. Photo: Moawia Atrash/dpa

Fighting in Syria's Sweida "halted" on Sunday, the government said, after the southern city was recaptured by Druze fighters and state forces redeployed to the region where more than 900 people have been killed in sectarian violence.

Sweida was "evacuated of all tribal fighters, and clashes within the city's neighborhoods were halted", Syria's interior ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba said in a post on Telegram.

More than 900 people have been killed in Sweida since last Sunday as sectarian clashes between the Druze and Bedouin drew in the government, Israel and armed tribes from other parts of Syria.

In a statement on Saturday, the Syrian presidency announced an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and urged all parties to commit to it and end hostilities in all areas immediately.

US envoy Tom Barrack announced on Friday that Syria and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire. Israel intervened in the conflict earlier this week, hitting government forces and the defense ministry building in Damascus as it declared support for the Druze minority.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later urged the Syrian government to "hold accountable and bring to justice anyone guilty of atrocities including those in their own ranks".