One dead in attack on east Syria checkpoint

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A security force member was killed and two others injured when unknown individuals driving a motorcycle opened fire in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) of northeastern Syria (Rojava) said in a statement on Friday.

“Unidentified individuals riding a motorcycle targeted a checkpoint belonging to our forces in the town of Darnaj in Deir ez-Zor province. While our forces were carrying out their security work at the checkpoint, a terrorist group opened fire on them, forcing our forces to respond to the sources of fire. The clashes resulted in the martyrdom of one of our members and the injury of two others who were transferred to a hospital for treatment,” read the Asayish statement.

“We, at the General Command of the Internal Security Forces in North and East Syria, affirm that such cowardly attempts will not deter us from fulfilling our duty to maintain security and stability. We will continue to pursue anyone who dares to threaten the security of our regions and the safety of our people,” it added.

Kurdish-led forces in Rojava are facing multiple security threats. 

The Asayish led a recent campaign that dismantled terror networks of the Islamic State (ISIS) in al-Hol camp, which houses thousands of people affiliated with the jihadists. ISIS has sought to take advantage of Syria’s political upheaval to stage a comeback.

In northern Syria, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Thursday that they thwarted "infiltration attempts and artillery attacks" from groups "affiliated with the Damascus government.”

Backed by the United States, the SDF functions as the de facto military force in the Kurdish-majority northeast Syria (Rojava). It remains a key partner of the US-led global coalition against ISIS.

The SDF and groups it claims to be associated with Damascus, have engaged in sporadic clashes mostly around regions where the Kurdish-led force holds sway.

The flare-up between the SDF and Damascus is straining an integration deal signed in March by Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi. The agreement aims to fold the SDF into the Syrian state military structure, recognize the Kurds as an integral part of Syria, implement a nationwide ceasefire, and enable the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns.

Talks on implementing the agreement have stalled for several reasons, including the SDF insisting on integrating into the Syrian army as a unit while Damascus wants them to do so as individuals.

The new Syrian government recently decided to postpone elections in Rojava-controlled areas, citing security concerns, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Kurdish groups.