What happened in 2025? major battles, attacks in NE, Syria

Between Turkish shelling, the escalation of ISIS mercenary attacks, and the failure of the Syrian transitional government to implement and adhere to agreements, North and East Syria experienced an exceptional year characterized by intense security developments and military achievements. The Syrian Democratic Forces, the Women’s Protection Units, and the Internal Security Forces faced simultaneous challenges in an open battle to protect the region, civilians, and stability.

During the current year, the Turkish occupying state carried out 629 attacks on areas of North and East Syria, targeting villages, towns, and vital infrastructure. The shelling and attacks focused in particular on Tishreen Dam and the Qaraqozaq Bridge.

As a result of Turkish attacks and shelling against civilian convoys heading to Tishreen Dam between 8 January and 5 May, 25 people were killed, including journalists, politicians, administrators, artists, and athletes, while 240 civilians were injured with varying degrees of injury.

On 5 May 2025, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria announced in a statement issued at Tishreen Dam that the 118-day popular resistance had come to an end, thereby declaring the conclusion of the popular protest activities that had taken place at the dam.

The components of North and East Syria prevailed in the epic “Resistance of Tishreen Dam,” during which 102 martyrs from the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Women’s Protection Units fell, as they confronted the plans of the Turkish occupying state and steadfastly advanced on the path to freedom.

ISIS Mercenary Attacks

In parallel with the attacks of the Turkish occupation, ISIS mercenaries carried out 82 attacks against areas of North and East Syria, targeting security and stability in the region.

As part of their security operations, the Syrian Democratic Forces arrested 406 mercenaries and saboteurs, including 27 leaders, and dismantled seven ISIS cells that had been active in various areas of the region.

ISIS Leaders and Commanders Arrested

On 24 February, the SDF arrested ISIS’s first chief security leader, Karim al-Nahar, and the second chief security leader, Abdul Karim Amir al-Karim al-Nahar, as well as the leader of another cell responsible for carrying out “terrorist” acts and in direct contact with senior ISIS leaders.

On 10 March, the SDF arrested the leader and primary official responsible for distributing weapons and ammunition to ISIS cells.

On 20 March, the SDF arrested a leader who was planning attacks during Nowruz.

On 19 May, the SDF arrested the most dangerous mercenary among ISIS cells, responsible for killings and formerly in charge of securing what the mercenaries refer to as “suicide bombers.”

On 11 June, the SDF arrested mercenaries specialized in booby-trapping and manufacturing military equipment.

On 8 October, the SDF arrested a leader who had been active inside al-Hol Camp.

On 1 November, the SDF arrested two leaders involved in targeting security points and civilian institutions.

On 9 December, the ISIS military emir known as “Abu Zubair / Samak” fell into the hands of the SDF.

Efforts of the SDF, YPJ, and Internal Security Forces to Combat ISIS

On 20 January, remnants of the Baathist regime attacked the towns of Dhiban and al-Tayanah in the eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside. In response, security and military forces launched a campaign to pursue remnants of the former Syrian regime, resulting on 4 February in the arrest of 79 individuals involved in undermining security and stability.

On 5 April, the Internal Security Forces – Women, and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) launched a three-day security operation inside Roj Camp, designated for detaining families of ISIS mercenaries, leading to the arrest of 16 ISIS mercenaries.

On 18 April, the Internal Security Forces launched a security campaign to comb al-Hol Camp, classified as one of the most dangerous camps in the world and home to families of ISIS mercenaries who adhere to extremist ideologies. The operation lasted six days and ended with the arrest of 20 ISIS mercenaries.

On 30 August, the SDF announced the conclusion of Operation “Permanent People’s Security” in the city of Hasakah, resulting in the arrest of 51 ISIS mercenaries.

On 3 September, the Internal Security Forces thwarted a mass escape attempt by 56 individuals from families of ISIS mercenaries from al-Hol Camp.

On 5 September, the Internal Security Forces, the Internal Security Forces – Women, and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), with the support of the SDF and the International Coalition, launched the fourth phase of Operation “Humanity and Security” in al-Hol Camp to enhance camp security. The operation concluded on 6 September with the arrest of 11 ISIS mercenaries.

At dawn on 1 November, the SDF announced the launch of a wide-scale security operation in the city of Raqqa, with full support from the International Coalition, targeting ISIS cell hideouts and resulting in the arrest of five terrorists, including three leaders involved in planning and carrying out terrorist attacks.

On 11 December, the Internal Security Forces in al-Hol Camp foiled an operation to smuggle 18 people, including children and women from ISIS mercenary families, out of the al-Muhajirat (Jihadists'' women)sector.

Attacks by the Transitional Government

On 9 March, factions affiliated with the transitional government attacked the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo. Protection Forces and the Internal Security Forces repelled the attack, leading to clashes that resulted in the killing and wounding of 12 militants, in addition to the injury of three members of the Internal Security Forces and one civilian.

On 6 October, factions of the transitional government launched attacks against the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, which were repelled by the Internal Security Forces.

Agreements with the Transitional Government

On 10 March, the General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the head of the Syrian transitional government, Ahmad al-Sharaa, signed an eight-point agreement.

On 1 April, an agreement was reached between the General Council of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods and the transitional government, comprising 14 main clauses.

On 5 April, and in implementation of the sixth clause of the Aleppo Agreement, the Syrian Democratic Forces withdrew their forces and equipment from the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, and the Internal Security Forces assumed responsibility for protecting the two neighborhoods.

On 13 April, work began to remove earthen berms between the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods and other parts of Aleppo, and to establish joint checkpoints.

Violations

The Syrian transitional government violated the 10 March agreement 144 times, resulting in the injury of 38 people, including six children, in addition to the killing of nine civilians.

ANHA