Syria
Forces affiliated with the interim Syrian government launched a rocket towards Kurdish forces near Dibsi Faraj in the northern Syrian Tabqa area, on January 17, 2026. Photo: Omar Haj Kadour / AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior commander in the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Saturday accused Damascus of violating a US-brokered truce and attempting to expand its military presence beyond agreed-upon areas, warning that government-aligned forces are seeking to destabilize Arab-majority areas in northeast Syria (Rojava) as clashes continue in Aleppo and Raqqa provinces.
Abu Ali Bard told Rudaw that Damascus is attempting to destabilize areas under Kurdish-led control by exploiting social tensions and activating sleeper cells.
He said Damascus “is trying to sow discord and chaos inside the cities and provinces in northeastern Syria, especially areas where the majority are Arab tribes,” adding that this had led to “chaos and sabotage operations.” Bard said sleeper cells affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) and the interim government became active in the town of al-Mansurah in Raqqa province, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.
“After that, SDF forces intervened to establish security and safety in the area, and now calm prevails in that area,” he said.
The Syrian interim government’s Syrian Arab Army continued to attack the SDF on Saturday despite a US-brokered truce to end fighting in northern Syria. The SDF said it would withdraw fighters from the Aleppo countryside on Saturday as the Syrian military prepared for a major military offensive on SDF positions.
Bard said the areas the SDF has withdrawn from and that are now under the control of Damascus-aligned factions include Deir Hafer.
He added that clashes are still ongoing in areas near the administrative boundary between Aleppo and Raqqa provinces, including around Tabqa Airport, parts of Tabqa’s western countryside, and areas southeast of Raqqa.
The commander said SDF forces “have faced these clashes with valor,” adding that Damascus-affiliated forces “used all heavy weapons, cannons, rocket launchers, and Shahin drones.”
He said there are no deals between them and Damascus on the future of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa.
Recent fighting between the army and the SDF has threatened to undermine the March 2025 agreement to integrate autonomous Kurdish institutions into the central government. The US, which has pressed for unification in Syria, also has significant counterterrorism interests after working with the SDF to territorially defeat ISIS in the north.
Nalin Hassan contributed to this article.
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