Türkiye Escalates Attacks against SDF, Kurds Fear Offensive on Ain Al-Arab

Fighters of an armed faction at the front lines in Latakia (DPA)
Fighters of an armed faction at the front lines in Latakia (DPA)
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Türkiye Escalates Attacks against SDF, Kurds Fear Offensive on Ain Al-Arab

Fighters of an armed faction at the front lines in Latakia (DPA)
Fighters of an armed faction at the front lines in Latakia (DPA)

Turkish forces escalated their attacks on Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria, amid reports of possible Turkish offensive in Ain Al-Arab despite US rejection of any Turkish military operations in north of Syria.

On Wednesday, Turkish forces bombed SDF positions in the villages of Al-Muallaq, Saida, the vicinity of Ein Issa, and the Aleppo-Latakia International Road (M4), north of Raqqa.

A Turkish drone also targeted an SDF military vehicle, the second targeting of its kind in three days and the seventh since the beginning of January.

The Syrian Democratic Forces intensified security alongside the US forces in multiple bases in northeastern Syria.

The US-led international coalition has also sent new reinforcements to al-Hasakah.

The SDF commander, Mazlum Abdi, expected Türkiye to carry out a military operation targeting Ain Al-Arab next month. He ruled out any success of Russian efforts to normalize relations between Ankara and Damascus.

Abdi confirmed in an interview that the SDF "takes Türkiye's threats seriously". He noted that Türkiye is heading for elections and that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wanted to rally nationalist support because he believes that attacking Rojava again can serve this purpose.

The commander was confident the US would keep its pledge to remain in northeast Syria. However, Washington's efforts "are falling short," and they "need to do more”, he said.

He added: "We want peace. But should we be attacked, we will fight with all our might. We are determined to resist till the end," asserting that the Syrian Kurds, the SDF, and the Autonomous Administration want peaceful relations with Türkiye.

Abdi explained that when Türkiye decided to end the peace process with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Democratic People's Party and to "resume the conflict against the PKK in 2015, it also grew hostile against us."

He noted that Russia is trying to solve existing problems in Syria by bringing Türkiye and the Syrian regime around the same table.

"However, I do not believe such attempts can succeed," he indicated.

Meanwhile, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that Türkiye would not allow the establishment of a "terrorist corridor" on its southern border, warning that it might push Syria into division.

Akar called on the US to end its cooperation with the People's Defense Units, which Ankara considers an extension of the PKK in Syria.

On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu confirmed, in a press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, that his country would not allow the establishment of a Kurdish entity on its borders.

Cavusoglu pointed out that the US and Russia still needed to fulfill their obligations under two understandings signed with Ankara.

Furthermore, the press secretary for the Department of Defense, Patrick Ryder, reiterated that Washington does not support any military operation in northern Syria.

"We've been very clear that any type of ground offensive into northern Syria could further destabilize the region and negatively impact the defeat of ISIS mission", Ryder asserted.

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava) stressed the need to stop the Turkish attacks targeting civilians and service facilities in northern Syria.

During a meeting of its representatives with a Russian delegation, the SDF stressed the need for the Russian side to abide by its obligations towards the eastern Euphrates region.

The Russian delegation affirmed that Moscow continues efforts to reduce tension in northern and eastern Syria.



Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
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Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the Middle East, stating that Moscow “has not and will not withdraw from the region.” He emphasized ongoing communication with Syria’s new leadership and expressed readiness to support the political process in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Lavrov attributed Syria’s deteriorating situation to the previous regime, blaming its unwillingness to implement reforms and share power with the opposition.

“The refusal of the former Syrian regime to make any changes or share power with the opposition was one of the primary reasons for its collapse,” he said.

Lavrov noted that over the past decade, since President Bashar al-Assad requested Russian intervention in the Syrian war and the launch of the Astana peace process, Damascus had delayed advancing the political path.

“Despite support from Arab nations, Syrian authorities showed reluctance to move forward politically and sought to maintain the status quo,” he explained.

He highlighted Russia’s repeated calls for the Syrian government to engage with the Constitutional Committee, established during the 2018 Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, and to actively work on drafting a new constitution.

Lavrov also pointed to economic challenges exacerbated by sanctions, which have stifled Syria’s economy, and US control over oil-rich eastern regions. Resources were exploited to fuel separatist ambitions in northeastern Syria, he remarked.

Moreover, the FM revealed details of Moscow’s earlier discussions with Kurdish groups, reiterating his country’s position that Kurdish rights should be guaranteed within the constitutional frameworks of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Türkiye.

He argued that the previous Syrian regime’s reluctance to engage in political dialogue resulted in stalled reforms proposed by the United Nations, Moscow and Cairo platforms, and Istanbul-based opposition groups. This inaction, he said, created a vacuum that ultimately led to the collapse.

Furthermore, he dismissed claims that his country’s withdrawal from Syria would signal its departure from the Middle East.

“Russia has not and will not leave the region,” he declared. Without directly addressing the status of Russian military bases in Syria, Lavrov emphasized: “Our embassy never left Damascus, and we maintain ongoing communication with the authorities.”

He also stressed Russia’s willingness to facilitate inclusive dialogue involving all national, political and sectarian factions, as well as relevant international stakeholders. Lavrov underscored that recent discussions with Türkiye, Gulf nations, and other parties demonstrated widespread agreement that Russia and Iran must be involved in the Syrian peace process if sustainable results are to be achieved.

For his part, Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East and Africa, reaffirmed Russia’s focus on developments in Syria, describing relations with Damascus as a “priority of Russian foreign policy.”

Reports on Tuesday suggested that Bogdanov might soon lead a Russian delegation to Damascus. However, a Russian diplomatic source informed Asharq Al-Awsat that no date for the visit has been confirmed. The visit, which was reportedly postponed, would mark the first by a senior Russian official to Damascus since the fall of Assad’s regime in December.

Meanwhile, media reports indicated that Moscow is facing logistical challenges in withdrawing military equipment from Syria, due to restrictions imposed by Syrian authorities on the movement of Russian ships in territorial waters.

According to the English-language edition of RT, the Russian ship Sparta 2, designated to transport military equipment and weapons, was denied entry to the Port of Tartus, where Russia maintains its only overseas naval base.