SDF launches surprise attack on government forces positions in Raqqa

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English
Today 03:22

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have launched a surprise attack on Syrian Armed Forces positions in Maadan, east Raqqa, which rapidly turned into fierce clashes.

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Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to attend a military parad in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (AP)

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have launched a surprise attack on Syrian Armed Forces positions in Maadan, east Raqqa.

The attack rapidly transformed into fierce clashes between both forces, with the SDF reporting violence between its armed men and government aligned factions on the Ghanim al-Ali axis.

Earlier, the SDF announced that it downed two drones belonging to ISIS in eastern Raqqa, claiming they were launched from areas controlled by factions aligned with the Syrian government.

According to an SDF statement, the drones were intercepted on the Ghanim al-Ali axis, where SDF positions have faced repeated attacks over the past week. The first drone was identified as a Matrice M30 used for reconnaissance, while the second was an FPV attack drone designed to strike targets directly.

The SDF asserted that the findings provide “conclusive evidence” of cooperation between certain Damascus-backed factions and ISIS cells, enabling the group to rebuild its drone warfare capabilities “in an even more dangerous form than before.”

'No more room for war'

The commander of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi, declared that Syria has reached a critical juncture where “there is no longer room for war,” stressing that comprehensive dialogue remains the only viable path to resolving the conflict that has devastated the country for over 13 years.

Speaking at the Middle East Peace and Security Forum in Duhok, located in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, Abdi described the March 10 agreement as a pivotal moment that prevented Syria from descending into full-scale civil war.

It is worth noting that the March 10 agreement was signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Autonomous Administration, emphasizing the importance of partnership with the Kurds as an integral component of Syria, while also calling for a clear separation between the SDF and the broader Syrian Kurdish community.

He said the agreement marked a substantial step toward unity, blocking efforts to divide the country while securing constitutional recognition of Kurdish rights, despite the difficult political climate and partial mediation through which the accord was reached.