Heavy clashes renewed between SDF, Syrian army in Aleppo
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Syrian army forces clashed with Kurdish SDF units near the Tishreen Dam in Aleppo governorate despite a recent ceasefire agreement.
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US-backed Kurdish SDF fighters withdraw from two neighbourhoods in Syria's northern city of Aleppo as part of a deal with the Syrian central government, in Aleppo, Syria, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Syrian army forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) engaged in clashes near the Tishreen Dam in the northwestern Aleppo governorate overnight, according to state television, which cited sources within the army.
"The SDF attacked positions in the direction of the Tishreen Dam," the source told the broadcaster, describing it as a direct assault on military-held areas.
Following the confrontation, the Syrian army reportedly regained control over two strongholds previously held by the SDF. The exact cause behind the sudden clashes remains unclear.
The fighting comes in the wake of a significant political development. On March 10, the SDF leadership signed an agreement with the Syrian government to integrate all civilian and military institutions of the self-proclaimed Kurdish autonomy in Syria into the framework of the central state.
The agreement included provisions for control over border crossings, airports, oil and gas fields, and stipulated the enforcement of a nationwide ceasefire. The recent escalation raises questions about the viability of that ceasefire and the integration process.
Escalation and military reinforcements
Following the confrontation near the Tishreen Dam, army sources reported that "large columns of reinforcements were sent to the site" after intense battles, signaling a potential deterioration of trust between the government and the US-backed forces.
There has been no official statement from the SDF regarding the events, and neither side has confirmed the broader implications of this latest Tishreen Dam conflict.
While the March agreement was seen as a step toward long-term stability, these developments suggest ceasefire violations in Syria may persist, especially in contested regions like Aleppo.
The integration deal had been regarded as a framework for consolidating Syrian territorial sovereignty while resolving tensions with the Kurdish autonomous administration. However, the renewed clashes signal unresolved friction on the ground, threatening the fragile peace.
Clashes in Syria's Aleppo between Security Forces, ISIS
On a related note, local sources told Al Mayadeen on Sunday that fierce clashes broke out between Syria’s General Security Forces and suspected members of ISIS in the neighborhoods of Haydariya and Jisr al-Jazmati on the outskirts of Aleppo.
According to field reports, three members of the General Security Forces were captured, while one was killed and others wounded during confrontations in the Jazmati area with armed groups. In a dramatic escalation, one suspected militant reportedly detonated himself amid the ongoing firefight.
The clashes triggered a wave of military and security reinforcements throughout Aleppo, with temporary checkpoints set up across several neighborhoods in response to the unfolding situation.
A spokesperson from Syria’s Ministry of Interior announced a “special operation” by the General Security Directorate in eastern Aleppo, which targeted hideouts affiliated with ISIS. The operation led to the neutralization of one militant, the arrest of another, and the seizure of weapons, explosive devices, and clothing marked with the General Security Forces insignia.
