Kurdish-led SDF vows to protect territories amid escalating clashes in northwest Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced Friday that they are closely monitoring recent developments in northwest Syria, where intense clashes have erupted between Turkish-backed armed factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), on one side, and Syrian government forces on the other.
HTS, formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, launched a large-scale offensive on Wednesday targeting government-controlled areas in the Aleppo and Idlib countryside. The operation has reportedly led to significant territorial gains, with dozens of villages, towns, and parts of Aleppo city falling under their control, according to local sources.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami emphasized the strategic importance of these developments to the SDF, saying, “Whatever happens, our national and moral priority remains the protection of our people and our regions. Therefore, we will intervene as necessary to safeguard our population.”
The SDF has maintained control over several areas on the outskirts of Aleppo and its countryside for years, under the administration of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). These regions, along with other SDF-controlled territories, have remained a critical buffer in Syria’s fragmented battlefield, caught between various warring factions.
Background and Context
The northwest escalation comes amid a fragile status quo in Syria, where competing interests have repeatedly disrupted any semblance of stability. HTS, which rules Idlib with an iron fist, has recently sought to expand its influence beyond its stronghold. Meanwhile, Turkish-backed factions, notorious for their internal rivalries, have appeared to unite temporarily under HTS’s banner to push back government forces.
The clashes also signal a potential realignment of power dynamics in Syria. The Syrian government has struggled to maintain control over territories in Aleppo and Idlib, while the involvement of HTS and Ankara-backed groups raises concerns about Turkey’s role in supporting opposition factions at the expense of Damascus’s hold.
SDF’s Strategic Position
The SDF, a key partner in the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS, has managed to maintain a neutral stance in most internal Syrian conflicts while focusing on protecting the AANES-administered regions. However, recent escalations in northwest Syria could pose direct challenges to SDF-held territories, especially if HTS or other factions aim to expand further.
Farhad Shami’s remarks highlight the SDF’s readiness to take action if the conflict threatens its regions. Over the years, the SDF has demonstrated its capacity to defend its territories against various adversaries, from ISIS remnants to Turkish incursions.
As the situation in northwest Syria continues to evolve, all eyes are on how the SDF will navigate this new wave of instability while upholding its stated commitment to protect the populations under its control.