Commander in Turkish-Backed Faction Killed Amid Defection Attempt in northern Syria’s Sere Kaniye
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – A commander in a Turkish-backed faction was killed late Friday night following clashes that erupted over his attempt to leave the region of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) through areas controlled by the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
Targeted for Defection
Military sources reported that the commander, identified as Abu Khalid al-Homsi, was affiliated with the Turkish-backed Hamzat Division. Al-Homsi and seven of his guards were intercepted and later killed after his faction accused him of planning to cross into central Syria’s Homs via AANES territories.
The incident led to fierce infighting within Sere Kaniye, with clashes between Hamzat Division forces and the defecting group spreading from the grain silos area to the vicinity of the National Hospital, according to the source.
Escalating Violence
Sere Kaniye, controlled by Turkish forces and their allied Syrian factions since a 2019 military operation, has witnessed increasing lawlessness. Armed theft, factional disputes, and violent crackdowns are rampant, creating an atmosphere of insecurity for both residents and combatants.
The recent killing is part of a pattern of violence targeting individuals attempting to leave the Turkish-controlled zone. On Thursday, a member of the Ahrar al-Sharqiya faction, identified as Ghassan al-Kabis, was similarly killed while attempting to cross from Sere Kaniye into AANES territories.
Regional Implications
The Autonomous Administration has repeatedly condemned the chaotic conditions in Turkish-controlled areas, accusing Turkish-backed factions of fostering instability and committing human rights violations.
AANES-affiliated sources suggest the ongoing violence could be a sign of fractures within Turkish-backed groups, as dissent and defection attempts grow more frequent.
Worsening Humanitarian Situation
Residents in Sere Kaniye, once a vibrant commercial hub, now face dire circumstances. The lack of security, coupled with arbitrary violence by factional groups, has forced many to flee. Those who remain live under constant threat, with widespread reports of extortion, property confiscation, and abuse by factional elements.
One resident described the situation: “There’s no law here—only the gun. People are afraid to speak out or even move freely because they don’t know who to trust anymore.”
Broader Context
Sere Kaniye has been a focal point of geopolitical tension since Turkey’s 2019 incursion into northern Syria. The operation displaced tens of thousands of Kurdish residents and brought the region under the control of Turkish forces and their allied factions, many of which have been accused of war crimes by international organizations.
Observers warn that the continued infighting among Turkish-backed factions not only destabilizes the region further but also complicates potential solutions to the Syrian conflict.
As Sere Kaniye descends deeper into chaos, calls for international intervention and oversight grow louder. For now, the region remains a flashpoint of violence, with no clear resolution in sight.