Trump envoy says working to deescalate Syria tensions

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said the United States is in close contact with all parties in Syria to prevent further escalation and revive integration talks between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as violence and political tensions continue to grip the northeastern part of the country, known as Rojava.

“The United States remains in close contact with all parties in Syria, working around the clock to lower the temperature, prevent escalation, and return to integration talks between the Syrian government and the SDF,” Barrack said in a post on Friday.

Barrack remarks come after deadly clashes erupted last week in Aleppo’s Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsood, when the Syrian Arab Army and allied armed groups launched a large-scale operation to seize areas that had been secured for nearly 15 years by the Kurdish Internal Security Forces (Asayish) - an affiliate of the SDF.

The SDF serves as the de facto military force in Rojava and the main on-the-ground partner of the US-led Global Coalition that defeated ISIS territorially in Syria in 2019.

At least 82 people, including 43 civilians, were killed, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, while around 150,000 people were displaced, the Erbil-based Barzani Charity Foundation told Rudaw.

The escalation erupted despite a landmark agreement reached in March between Damascus and the SDF that established a nationwide ceasefire. Talks between the two sides are ongoing, but the latest round, held earlier this month, failed to produce tangible results, according to Syrian state media.

Although tensions have eased over the past few days, fears of further bloodshed persist among residents, some of whom drew parallels with previous sectarian violence in the country.

US officials warn of attacks on SDF

Senior US lawmakers and senators have voiced alarm over reports of advancing Syrian forces alongside Turkey against Kurdish-led forces in Rojava, calling for immediate de-escalation amid renewed violence and displacement.

Frank Pallone, a Democratic member of the US House of Representatives, said on X on Friday (Erbil time) that he was “deeply concerned” by reports of joint advances against Kurdish forces, referring to the SDF.

“There are now credible reports that Syrian forces, alongside Turkey, may be advancing against our Kurdish allies in Northern Syria,” Pallone wrote. “Any further attacks on these forces, who were central to defeating ISIS and remain key allies of the United States, are unacceptable. There must be immediate de-escalation.”

For his part, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham warned of serious consequences if Syrian forces escalate against Kurdish groups.

“As I have previously stated, I am growing increasingly concerned that the new Syrian government is aligning with Turkey to use military force against the Syrian Kurds, who are our strongest ally in the enduring defeat of ISIS in Syria,” Graham wrote on X.

“They also have control of about 9,000 of the worst of the worst ISIS prisoners,” he added. “It is in our vital national security interest that these prisoners do not go back to the battlefield.”

Graham said he supported giving the new Syrian government an opportunity to govern but cautioned against any military escalation.

“I support a fair chance for the new Syrian government, however if there’s an escalation of attacks against the Kurds by Syrian forces supported by Turkey, this will create a whole new dynamic,” he wrote. “I believe there would be wide and deep bipartisan support to push back against such action.”

“If anyone believes that I or any of my colleagues would be comfortable - at this stage - for the ISIS prisoners to be guarded by the Syrian army or Turkey instead of the Kurds, you are sadly mistaken,” Graham said. “Choose wisely.”

Graham, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also warned Syria’s interim government on Wednesday that “human rights abuses against minorities will not be tolerated” amid reports of Syrian army violations as they seized areas in Aleppo.

Additionally, Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also raised concerns, calling for urgent steps to protect civilians.

“I continue to monitor the situation in Aleppo with great concern and call for urgent de-escalation,” Meeks wrote on X. He urged the displaced civilians to be permitted to return to their homes, saying that “food and basic supplies must reach Syrian Kurdish areas in need.”

“It is vital for all Syrian communities to be protected and fully represented in the new Syria.”

Last week, Meeks told Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda that he hoped Syria’s new authorities would “turn a new leaf” amid the escalating tensions in Aleppo.

“We'll get some peace and freedom from all Syrians and try to help collectively working with others in the region to make it safer and more cohesive Middle East,” Meeks said when asked about the situation, adding that he expected an inclusive government to emerge in Damascus

Jeanne Shaheen, the Democratic ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also warned of the risk of wider conflict.

“I’m deeply concerned by recent violence in Aleppo and the risk of wider escalation,” Shaheen wrote on X on Thursday. “The Syrian government must de-escalate, investigate violations and resume talks. I urge the SDF to recommit to negotiations and finalize integration under the March 10 agreement.”

SDF blames Damascus for attacking civilians

For their part, the SDF on Friday accused Damascus-affiliated factions of escalating attacks on civilian areas in eastern Aleppo province.

“Damascus-affiliated factions continue their military escalation through indiscriminate artillery shelling of densely populated areas in the city of Deir Hafer,” the SDF media center said in a statement early Friday.

“Over the past hour, the city has been struck by more than 20 artillery shells, in addition to an attack using an explosive-laden drone, posing a direct threat to civilians’ lives and confirming the deliberate targeting of residential neighborhoods,” the statement added.

The SDF said their forces were closely monitoring the situation and taking “all necessary measures to maintain the security of the city and its residents.”

Separately, Ilham Ahmad, co-chair of Rojava’s foreign relations office, reposted on X on Friday footage that went viral last week, showing gunmen affiliated with Syrian government-backed militants throwing the body of a Kurdish female fighter from a building while hurling insults.

“This is how groups affiliated with the Syrian army mutilated the body of the young female victim from the Sheikh Maqsood neighborhood Internal Security Forces,” Ahmad wrote. “Who will hold these people accountable?”

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