SDF accuses Damascus-linked factions of attacking eastern outpost

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said late Sunday that factions affiliated with Damascus targeted one of their outposts in the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor, adding that the attack "seriously" injured one of their fighters.

"In a new violation, factions affiliated with the Damascus government directly targeted one of our forces' positions in the town of Gharanij in the eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside, launching their attack from the western bank of the Euphrates River," the SDF said in a statement.

"The attack resulted in serious injuries to one of our fighters, who was transferred to a specialized hospital to receive the necessary treatment," it added.

The SDF is the de facto military force of the Kurdish enclave in northeast Syria (Rojava) and the main on-the-ground ally of the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria. The Syrian government also joined the coalition earlier this month.

The attack comes just a day after the SDF said it returned fire on Saturday when its positions in eastern Deir ez-Zor were attacked by Damascus-affiliated groups.

“Groups affiliated with Damascus government factions targeted a number of our forces' headquarters in the town of Abu Hamam in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor,” the SDF said on Saturday, adding that they “began a legitimate response to the sources of fire according to the rules of engagement.”

The SDF and Damascus have repeatedly accused the other of targeting their positions.

Syria’s defense ministry said on Thursday that two of its soldiers were killed and several others injured in what it attributed to an SDF attack. Hours earlier, the SDF said its units struck several sites in Raqqa linked to ISIS and used to launch drones. It accused factions aligned with Damascus of facilitating the attacks, which it claimed included foreign fighters.

The escalation comes as the two sides are in talks over the implementation of the March agreement to integrate the SDF into the Syrian national army. They disagree on fundamental points, however, such as the SDF wanting to integrate as a unified bloc, while Damascus insists on absorbing fighters individually into regular army units. The SDF officials have recently reported a softness from the transitional government in this regard.