The commander of the Syrian Democratic
Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led militia allied with the United States, announced on Wednesday that his forces had halted operations against the Islamic State (ISIS). This decision comes in response to ongoing assaults on Kurdish territories by a Turkish proxy force.
The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), a predominantly Sunni Arab militia formerly known as the Free Syrian Army, initiated a campaign titled "Dawn of Freedom" in late November. This offensive closely followed an unrelated attack by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), another Sunni militia, against the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. HTS, an offshoot of al-Qaeda with ties to ISIS, is classified as a terrorist organization by the United States. The FBI has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.
Syrian Kurds Halt Anti-ISIS Operations Amid Turkish-Backed Assaults
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a key ally of the United States in the fight against ISIS, announced a suspension of their operations against the terror group. This pause follows escalating attacks by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), which has forcibly displaced Kurdish fighters from strategic areas and caused significant civilian upheaval.
The SNA, a Sunni Arab militia, initiated its "Dawn of Freedom" campaign in November, displacing the SDF from cities like Manbij and Deir Ezzor. These offensives have displaced over 120,000 people and raised international concerns over potential ethnic cleansing.
General Mazloum Abdi, the SDF commander, emphasized that ongoing assaults are aiding ISIS’s resurgence. He noted increased ISIS activities, including the killing of three Internal Security Forces members near al-Hasakah, and warned that Turkish-backed offensives could compromise detention centers holding ISIS fighters.
Meanwhile, the U.S. response has been measured. While CENTCOM commander General Erik Kurilla met with SDF leaders, Pentagon officials maintain that their partnership with the SDF remains unchanged, emphasizing ongoing communication without concrete commitments to counter Turkish-backed attacks.
In a surprising turn, the SDF has explored improved relations with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group previously affiliated with al-Qaeda, which recently toppled the Assad regime in Damascus. The SDF raised the Syrian rebel flag, signaling potential alignment against mutual adversaries.
The precarious situation underscores a complex geopolitical entanglement, with Kurdish forces striving to balance the fight against ISIS, Turkish-backed aggression, and shifting alliances in war-torn Syria.