Fighting between Kurdish and Turkish-backed fighters in northern Syria has escalated, jeopardizing existing cease-fire agreements and complicating American efforts to control rising violence as the country's civil war nears its conclusion.
A spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces reported clashes with a Turkey-supported militia in various locations around Kobani and the nearby Euphrates River. Farhad Shami stated that their forces are establishing defensive positions to protect the region, particularly Kobani.
Shami accused Turkey and its allies of exploiting the current truce to further their expansionist goals and mislead the international community. Attempts to obtain a response from Turkish defense officials were unsuccessful.
Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman, indicated that the outgoing Biden administration is working to prevent further fighting in northern Syria. However, a senior American official noted that Kurdish fighters are facing a serious, albeit not immediate, threat from the Turkish-backed militia.
The ongoing violence underscores the fragile state of Syria following the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. The new rebel alliance, which is not involved in the Kurdish-Turkish clashes, is struggling to maintain control and governance in the country.
The Kurdish-led forces, who have been key partners for the U.S. in Syria, have liberated cities from the Islamic State and detained approximately 9,000 of its fighters. Currently, around 900 American troops are stationed in Syria to prevent the resurgence of the extremist group.
Turkey views the Kurdish forces in Syria as adversaries, linking them to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (P.K.K.), which has been in conflict with the Turkish state for decades and is designated as a terrorist organization by both Turkey and the U.S.
Kobani, a Kurdish-majority city near the Turkish border, is significant to Kurdish fighters, having been reclaimed from the Islamic State in 2016 after a prolonged siege. Recently, Kurdish and Turkish-backed forces agreed to a temporary cease-fire in Kobani and Manbij, facilitated by U.S. mediation.
Miller confirmed that the cease-fire in Manbij is expected to last until the end of the week, though no specific end date has been provided. Both Kobani and Manbij have historically been points of contention, particularly after the Islamic State exploited the chaos of the civil war.
With U.S. support, Kurdish fighters liberated both cities in 2016, marking the decline of the Islamic State's control over significant territories in Syria and Iraq. Following a cease-fire agreement, Kurdish forces agreed to withdraw from Manbij and retreat to the eastern side of the Euphrates River, which has been a dividing line between the factions since a 2019 agreement.
American officials hope that the Kurdish withdrawal will reduce tensions with Turkish-backed fighters, who have recently intensified attacks around Kobani, leading to the displacement of thousands. However, Shami reported that fighting continues, and General Abdi expressed willingness to establish a demilitarized zone in Kobani, supervised by U.S. troops, to address Turkey's security concerns.
A second U.S. official indicated that this plan would involve Kurdish fighters pulling back approximately 18 miles from Kobani, while local police forces would remain in place to avoid displacing residents. American troops would monitor the situation in hopes of achieving a broader cease-fire across northern Syria.
It remains uncertain whether President-elect Donald J. Trump will endorse this plan, given his previous intentions to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria. Miller mentioned ongoing discussions with Turkey regarding the tensions but did not provide specific details, acknowledging the complexity of the situation.