Kurdish Forces Push Back In Northeastern Syria

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In a surprise move, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched on December 23 an offensive against the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.

The offensive came nearly two weeks into clashes between the SDF and the SNA in the region, mainly close to bridges and dams crossing the Euphrates River close to the Kurdish town of Kobani. The main flashpoint of the clashes has been the Tishreen Dam.

SNA forces flee the vicinity of Tishreen Dam and surrounding villages

Advancing Manbij Military Council forces in the area of Tishreen Dam and eastern Manbij

Martyr Harun units destroy three military vehicles belonging to the SNA in southeastern Manbij and in the vicinity of Tishreen Dam

Moments of YPG fighters advancing around the Tishreen Dam

Capture of a tank belonging to the SNA by Manbij Military Council forces

Turkish drone shot down in Tal Tamir

Martyr Harun SDF units using kamikaze drones destroyed SNA artillery and vehicles southeast of Manbij

The United States, the main backer of the SDF, deployed large forces near Kobani in the days leading to the offensive.

Within hours of launching the offensive, SDF fighters imposed control of the towns of Hobak Tueni, Qishla, al-Sa’ideen and al-Hajj Hussein, securing the western bank of Tishreen Dam which was captured by the SNA after the fall of the key town of Manbij earlier this month.

By December 24, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the SDF was clashing with the SNA close to the town of Abu Qalaq. The London-based monitoring group also said that Kurdish forces were just 12 kilometers away from their former stronghold Manbij.

The SDF’s push was a blow to the SNA, which reportedly brought in large reinforcements to the Tishreen Dam front.

In what appears to be an attempt to secure the gains of their allies, U.S. forces dispatched an additional patrol to Kobani on December 24.

The SDF’s surprise offensive came amid reports of Turkish plans to launch an invasion into Syria in the direction of Kobani. While the group made gains, Ankara could use the offensive as a pretext to launch its offensive. The intervention of the Turkish Air Force could quickly change the balance in favor of the SNA.

While the SDF is moving militarily against the SNA, it continues to engage the new government in Damascus, which is led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), politically.

In an interview with Alhurra TV on December 23, SDF chief Mazloum Abdi said that his forces have channels of communication with HTS, but the two sides have not yet reached the stage of direct negotiations.

HTS appears to be open to talks with all sides in Syria. Nevertheless, the Islamist group will not likely accept the SDF’s demand for a federal system or oppose Ankara’s will.

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