New clashes shake eastern Syria as SDF and Damascus forces trade fire - analysis - Seth J. Frantzman

 

by Seth J. Frantzman

Erdogan says Turkey is considering joining an international Gaza stabilization force as it reviews deployment options and ceasefire monitoring.

 

Armed members of the Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF) military police take part in a demonstration under the banner “With our will, we will protect our revolution”, in Qamishli, Syria, September 17, 2025.

(photo credit: REUTERS/Orhan Qereman) 

Clashes have been increasing in central Syria in areas near the Euphrates River. This is in the region of Deir Ezzor, an important city that sits on the Euphrates River. The city was held by the Syrian regime throughout the Syrian civil war and was transferred to the new authorities in Damascus soon after the fall of the Assad regime.

East of the city, on the other side of the river, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have held the area since 2018. As such, this area represents the divisions in Syria. On the ground, the area may be divided by forces, but the residents in this area are primarily Sunni Arabs, especially large tribes. The SDF is primarily led by Kurds, but it also includes Arabs and other groups in its ranks.

The SDF has come under attack here for years, along with US forces who have been stationed nearby. Before the fall of Assad’s regime, the attackers were usually Iranian-backed militias. Now the SDF is accusing Damascus-backed groups of carrying out. “Groups affiliated with Damascus government factions targeted a number of our forces' headquarters in the town of Abu Hamam in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor,” the SDF said over the weekend.

The SDF “began a legitimate response to the sources of fire according to the rules of engagement.” The SDF has partnered with the US since 2015. However, the US now wants stability in Syria and backs the new government in Damascus. The goal is to have the SDF integrate with the new security forces of Damascus.

How can they integrate when they are under attack by those they are supposed to integrate with? It’s not clear. “The SDF and Damascus have repeatedly accused the other of targeting their positions. The Kurdish-led SDF said the government-allied armed groups are putting civilian populations at risk,” the Kurdish Rudaw channel noted.

The city of Deir Ezzor, which straddles the Euphrates River, in eastern Syria June 14, 2025. (credit: Khalil Ashawi/Reuters)

“These groups continue to shell military headquarters and civilian homes with rockets and heavy weapons randomly and directly, targeting three military points in the area… [and are] using drones and suicide drones in their attacks, which poses a doubled danger to the lives of peaceful residents,” the SDF said. Syria’s defense ministry said on Thursday that two of its soldiers were killed and several others injured in what it attributed to an SDF attack,” Rudaw noted.

Sinam Mohamad, Washington of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), which is linked to the SDF, told Rudaw “that there is an understanding that small units of the Kurdish-led security forces will remain in place.”

Clashes come as Mazlum Abdi attends a conference in Dohuk

The clashes come as SDF commander Mazlum Abdi went to the Kurdistan region of Iraq for an important conference in Dohuk. He praised Syria for joining the anti-ISIS coalition. This happened after Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Shara’a, met US President Donald Trump earlier this month. If Syria joins the coalition against ISIS, this makes it an ally of the SDF. However, the clashes show how complexity still reigns.

Abdi also spoke with US Congress member Abe Hamadeh on November 21. “Congressman Hamadeh received an operational update from Syrian Democratic Forces Commander Gen. Mazloum Abdi and thanked him for appointing a dedicated liaison to recover the remains of Arizonan Kayla Mueller,” Hamadeh’s office said.

“Gen. Mazloum praised President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions and urged sustained US backing for pluralistic governance, while the Congressman congratulated him on successful diplomacy with Damascus and Turkey aimed at preserving Syria’s territorial integrity. We continue to keep open channels with all sides in Syria, working toward peace.”

Meanwhile, a report at North Press in eastern Syria details how poverty and lack of services are issues for people in and around Deir Ezzor. This area is also called the Middle Euphrates River Valley. The tribes here are poor. ISIS used this area to recruit and enter Iraq in 2014. People say ISIS is still a threat.

The clashes along the Euphrates River come as there is also unrest in the Homs area. This illustrates how Damascus continues to struggle to control its own forces.

Seth J. Frantzman

Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-874900

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