SOHR: US-backed Syrian force warns of new Turkish attack

The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Thursday that a renewed offensive threatened by Turkey in northern Syria would create a humanitarian crisis and undermine its campaign against the Islamic State group.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi called on all parties to “prevent any further tragedy and support de-escalation”, warning that a fresh assault would fuel further displacement in Syria’s 11-year-long conflict.

Turkey, which has mounted four operations in northern Syria since 2016, has promised a new offensive against the Kurdish YPG militia, spearhead of the SDF, which controls swaths of territory on the Turkish border.

While Turkey views Kurdish-led forces in Syria as terrorists and a national security threat, the United States views the SDF as an ally that has helped drive Islamic State out of large areas of Syria.

Washington, whose support for the SDF has long been a sticking point in relations with its NATO ally Turkey, has expressed concern, saying any new offensive would endanger US troops – who have a presence in Syria. – and would undermine regional stability.

Visiting the Turkish city of Hatay, near the Syrian border, the American ambassador to the United Nations reiterated American opposition to any military action.

“We have engaged with the Turkish government. We have indicated our opposition to any decision to take military action on the Syrian side of the border. We believe that nothing should be done to break the ceasefire lines that have already been established,” Linda Thomas told Greenfield.

She added that any such action would not only increase the suffering, but also the number of displaced people, including some who may attempt to cross the border into Turkey.

DEADLY VIOLENCE

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday Turkey would clear Syria’s Tal Rifaat and Manbij regions of terrorists, confirming the targets of the incursion and saying it would continue in other areas. Read more

Turkey is one of many powers embroiled in the war in Syria, where Russia backs the government.

Russian military helicopters have carried out unusually frequent flights over areas of the north held by the government or the SDF over the past week, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an organization based in in the UK reporting on the conflict.

On the ground, there has been an upsurge in violence between the Syrian parties to the war. But sources on both sides say they haven’t seen any major military moves.

The SDF-aligned Manbij Military Council said one of its fighters was killed while repelling an infiltration attempt by Turkish-backed fighters.

Two of the attackers were killed, said Sharfan Darwish, his spokesman.

There was no immediate comment from Turkish-backed groups in the region. Reuters could not independently confirm the incident.

A Turkish-backed Syrian rebel force, the National Army, said the SDF had stepped up shelling of its areas.

“We are responding from our positions and Turkish bases in the area are bombarding YPG positions,” said Major Youssef Hammoud, his spokesman.

On Wednesday, three civilians and a fighter were killed in a rocket attack on Tel Abyad, a border town seized by Turkish forces and their Syrian allies in 2019, the Observatory said.

The Observatory said the rockets were fired from areas where both the SDF and government forces operate. The rebel National Army said the SDF was responsible. A spokesperson for the SDF could not immediately be reached for comment.

Turkey sees the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency since 1984 in which more than 40,000 people have been killed.

Western governments, including the United States and the European Union, designate the PKK as a terrorist organization.