Widespread Escalation in NorthE Syria: Attacks by Interim government mercenaries amid SDF response

Since this morning, areas of northern and eastern Syria have seen organized attacks by mercenaries of the interim government on multiple locations. This followed the SDF’s decision to redeploy from Deir Hafir and Maskanah east of the Euphrates as part of efforts to reduce tensions and signal willingness for a political solution.

Start and Spread of the Attacks

Since last night, intense clashes have continued in the countryside of Tabqa, Mansoura, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor. SDF, YPJ, and Internal Security Forces repelled attacks involving machine guns and heavy artillery, inflicting significant losses on the attackers.

Ongoing Clashes and Geographic Expansion

Clashes remain ongoing, with SDF confronting infiltration attempts and focused attacks inside the city of Tabqa.

The attacks coincided with continuous shelling by interim government mercenaries and Turkish occupation mercenaries on residential areas near Tishrin Dam in the Euphrates countryside. Mercenary attacks also continued on the towns of Al-Baghouz, Sha’fa, Sousseh, Hajin, Abu Hamam, Gharanij, Dhiban, Darnaj, and the Al-Omar and Al-Tanik oil fields in eastern Deir ez-Zor.

SDF Field Response

SDF and YPJ thwarted several attacks, destroying two tanks, two military vehicles equipped with heavy DShK machine guns, and a bulldozer. Several mercenaries were killed.

An active ISIS cell member was arrested in Raqqa, and another cell’s attempt to destabilize security and loot institutions in Shaddadi was foiled.

Kidnappings and Ambushes

This afternoon, interim government mercenaries kidnapped a group of civilians and wounded people heading to Hasakah near the village of Sabah al-Khair in the Raqqa countryside. They were reportedly ambushed and fired upon before being taken to an unknown location.

Statements by Mazloum Abdi

SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi said: “We continue ceasefire efforts and call on the people to rally around our fighters with courage and faith.”

He noted ongoing de-escalation efforts with international assistance, adding that a phone call took place between him and interim government head Ahmad al-Sharaa to discuss a ceasefire.

Warnings and Local Positions

The Council of Elders of Northern and Eastern Syria warned of the danger of incitement and called for an immediate halt to attacks. Meanwhile, residents of Jazira Canton continue a sit-in and hunger strike in front of the International Coalition base in Qasrak, north of Hasakah, protesting the coalition’s silence over interim government mercenaries’ violations of the agreement in Deir Hafir and Maskanah.

Civilian Displacement

The attacks on Tabqa, Raqqa, and their countryside have displaced around 3,000 families—originally displaced from Afrin, al-Shahba, and Tabqa—toward Jazira Canton, fleeing attacks by mercenaries backed by the Turkish occupation.

ANHA