“Disinformation campaigns, fabricated pretexts” Interim Govt. prepares for a new conflict, while SDF maintains restraint

The Interim Government has been promoting numerous lies and falsifying facts on the ground during its attacks on the Sheikh Maqsood and Al-Ashrafieh neighborhoods, claiming that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were present in these neighborhoods. This effort was supported by Arab media, particularly Gulf outlets. Now, similar tactics are being repeated in Deir Hafir, with some variations, signaling intentions to create a new conflict.

Preceding Media Disinformation in Aleppo

Before the attacks on Sheikh Maqsood and Al-Ashrafieh, a media disinformation campaign was conducted by Interim Government outlets and their supporters in Arab media, especially Gulf channels. The campaign falsely claimed that the SDF was present in the neighborhoods and that there were “plans threatening the security of Aleppo,” which the SDF repeatedly denied, confirming that it had withdrawn from the neighborhoods under the April 1, 2024 agreement.

“Media Campaign to Mobilize Syrian Public Opinion”

The disinformation campaign claimed that the Internal Security Forces in Aleppo were targeting the Interim Government’s mercenary checkpoints, military posts, civilians, and passersby around the neighborhoods, aiming to mobilize public opinion and create a pretext for intervention.

Prior to January 6, the Interim Government brought in mercenary groups supported by the Turkish occupation and dozens of heavy military vehicles, including tanks, officially announcing war on the neighborhoods via a statement from the “Ministry of Defense.”

Incitement to Violence and Falsification of Facts

On January 6, the Interim Government mercenaries began intense and indiscriminate shelling, targeting residential areas and infrastructure in Sheikh Maqsood, Al-Ashrafieh, and Bani Zeid. During the fighting, the Interim Government’s media machinery, along with supportive Arab channels, launched a large-scale campaign of incitement and fact distortion regarding the battles in Aleppo.

Crimes Ignored by Media; False Claims About SDF Presence

These media outlets ignored the catastrophic humanitarian conditions endured by residents and the massacres resulting from indiscriminate shelling, which caused widespread destruction in the neighborhoods.

After mercenary advances failed, the “Ministry of Defense” began marking areas on maps in red, claiming these were SDF military points to be targeted. The SDF officially denied any presence in the neighborhoods since April 1.

After the attacks paused and mercenaries entered the neighborhoods, they committed heinous crimes, including mutilation of Internal Security personnel and civilians, field executions, and the abduction of hundreds of civilians, whose fate remains unknown. Despite video evidence showing foreign mercenaries, including ISIS and members of the Turkish extremist group Grey Wolves, none of this was covered by the media.

Fabricating New Pretexts for an Attack on Deir Hafir

Following this, the Interim Government promoted claims that the SDF was sending massive military reinforcements to Deir Hafir and Maskanah, allegedly to attack areas under the government’s control. The SDF officially denied these claims, confirming that it had no military reinforcements in these areas.

Despite this, a new disinformation campaign was launched by the same media outlets, while the Interim Government’s “Ministry of Defense” declared Deir Hafir and Maskanah as “closed military zones,” sending reinforcements to frontlines and carrying out shelling with rockets, artillery, and heavy machine guns, hitting civilian homes in Deir Hafir and targeting the vicinity of Tabqa Dam with suicide drones.

Absurd Wars Built on Lies

While the Interim Government’s justification in Sheikh Maqsood and Al-Ashrafieh was the alleged “presence of SDF forces in the neighborhoods,” in Deir Hafir, it is now promoting claims through its media and supportive Arab outlets that the SDF is preparing to attack government-held areas. Despite these provocations, the SDF continues to exercise maximum restraint, maintaining defensive positions and thwarting all attempts to drag it into a full-scale war planned by Turkey, as was attempted in Aleppo’s neighborhoods.

ANHA