Tensions between Syria’s transitional government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) escalated this week after Turkey warned that Damascus could resort to military force against the group following days of deadly clashes in and around Aleppo. The SDF played a crucial role in helping U.S. forces defeat the Islamic State in Syria.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that Syria’s use of force against the SDF appeared to be an option, adding that he hoped the crisis could be resolved through dialogue. according to Reuters.
The comments came after several days of fighting between Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters, which displaced tens of thousands of civilians and killed at least 23 people, Reuters reported.
The warning underlines mounting regional pressure as negotiations aimed at integrating the SDF into the Syrian National Army have stalled almost a year after the signing of a US-backed framework agreement.
FROM SYRIA TO SOMALIA, U.S. troops remain deployed this holiday season in missions that never formally ended
Syrian army soldiers at the entrance to the Sheik Maksoud neighborhood during fighting against the SDF on January 10, 2026 in Aleppo. (Adri Salido/Getty Image)
The United States remains deeply involved in efforts to prevent the confrontation from spreading, with U.S. Central Command mediating on the ground daily in Syria, along with partners including France, Britain, Turkey and Jordan. “CENTCOM is present in Syria and plays an active mediating role every day,” said Charles Lister, senior fellow and director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute.
“Fundamentally, the United States remains the SDF’s largest and most important financier, supporter, provider of financing, training and, to some extent, defense,” he said.
Lister said Washington has already exerted significant influence, including forcing SDF leader Mazloum Abdi to sign the March 2025 framework agreement.
DEADLY ATTACK ON US TROOPS TEST TRUMP’S COUNTER-ISIS PLAN – AND HIS TRUST IN SYRIA’S NEW LEADER
U.S. forces provide military training to members of the SDF in the Qamisli district of Al-Hasakah province, Syria, on August 18, 2023. (Hedil Amir/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
“We would not have had the March framework agreement if General Mazloum had not been strong-armed into a helicopter, flown to Damascus and told to sign that agreement,” he said.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the SDF accused Syrian government forces and Turkey of what it described as a “dangerous military escalation” across Aleppo’s eastern countryside, including Deir Hafer, Maskanah and the area around the Tishreen Dam.
The SDF claimed that Syrian government forces carried out more than a dozen attacks with artillery, mortars and suicide drones and that civilian infrastructure, including a post office and a bakery, was hit.
The SDF also said that Turkish Bayraktar drones hit several SDF positions near Maskanah and Tabqah. Turkey and the Syrian government had not publicly responded to the claims.
The crisis stems from a failed March 2025 deal intended to merge SDF forces into the Syrian Defense Ministry.
“There is no doubt that Damascus has been a tough negotiator,” Lister said. “That said, the government has also bowed significantly.”
TRUMP STATES THE IMPORTANCE OF ‘NOT DErailING SYRIA’S EVOLUTION TOWARDS A PROSPEROUS STATE’
There are still about 900 American troops stationed in Syria. (Delil Souleiman/AFP via Getty Images)
Lister claims the deal stalled due to internal divisions within the SDF. “The fact that no deal has been implemented is, quite frankly, because the SDF is not a united, cohesive movement,” he said. “There are elements within the SDF that absolutely do not want this deal to be implemented.”
He said some factions are deliberately delaying implementation. “Their calculation is clearly that the longer they can wait, they hope that the Syrian transitional government will do something to destroy its international credibility,” Lister said. “It’s just a wait-and-see approach.”
“This approach is inherently dangerous,” he said. “It just guarantees conflict.”
“Over the past two or three days there have been a number of Turkish drone attacks on SDF military bases in this frontline district in eastern rural Aleppo,” Lister said.
“Turkey is ready to get involved again,” he said. “When Turkey pulled out all the stops for the SDF, the SDF didn’t stand a chance.”
According to Lister, only pressure from the highest level can change the trajectory.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
People with Kurdish flags demonstrate against the constitutional declaration signed by Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on March 14, 2025 in Qamishli, Syria. (Orhan Qereman/Reuters)
“The only thing that’s going to change the equation here is if President Trump makes it publicly clear that this deal needs to be done and implemented quickly,” he said.
“This is not contained,” Lister warned. “All preparations are clearly being made for this to become an active military zone unless serious diplomacy brings both sides back from the brink.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
