ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Monday that factions affiliated with the Damascus government shelled areas near the strategic Tishreen Dam in eastern Aleppo province.
In a statement late Monday, the SDF said that “factions affiliated with the Damascus government are shelling the villages of Haj Hussein and Sheikh Mahshi, in addition to Syriatel Hill in the vicinity of the Tishreen Dam, using artillery and heavy weapons.”
“This constitutes a dangerous escalation, for which the Damascus government bears full responsibility, as it poses a direct threat to the security of the area, the lives of civilians, and vital infrastructure,” the statement said.
The SDF is the de facto army of northeast Syria (Rojava) and the main on-the-ground partner of the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS). The Syrian government joined the coalition in November.
The SDF and Damascus have repeatedly traded accusations of attacks, despite ongoing talks to implement a March agreement to integrate Rojava’s civil and military institutions into those of Damascus. The talks stalled over disagreements on incorporating the SDF into the Syrian army but have since resumed.
The Kurdish-led administration in Rojava also continues to push for decentralization, a demand viewed cautiously by Damascus, though SDF officials have recently noted a more flexible tone from the transitional government.
Last week, Abu Omar al-Idlibi, a senior commander in the North Democratic Forces - a component of the SDF - told Rudaw that the they are approaching integration talks with Damascus “with great seriousness,” but said progress remains stalled due to a lack of political will from the Damascus leadership and what he described as a failure to reciprocate the SDF’s steps.
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