Syrian Government and Kurdish-Led SDF Agree to De-escalation of Violence Following Aleppo Clashes

Latest Developments

Aleppo Fighting Leads to Casualties: Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed on December 22 to reduce tensions after at least two civilians were killed during fighting in Aleppo. Syrian state news agency SANA reported that the general command of the Syrian army had issued an order to cease firing on SDF positions, with the SDF later stating that it would also stop responding to attacks by government forces. The Syrian health ministry reported that two civilians were killed and several were wounded by SDF shelling in the residential Aleppo neighborhoods of Al-Jamilia and Al-Razi, claims refuted by the SDF, which instead blamed the attacks on the “Damascus government.”
Syria Claims SDF Launched Surprise Attack on Government Forces: The fighting in Aleppo began after the SDF launched a surprise attack on government forces stationed in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods, according to SANA. The SDF subsequently denied the report, instead stating that the government forces were using tanks and artillery against the residential areas of the city, actions the Syrian Ministry of Defense said were carried out in response to the claimed SDF attack. Aleppo’s governor announced a suspension of classes in all schools and universities on December 22, while government offices also closed during the brief clashes.
Turkey Claims Kurdish Force Not Willing to Integrate: During an official visit the same day the Aleppo clashes broke out, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara sees “no intention” on the part of the SDF to integrate with state security forces. Damascus reportedly sent a proposal to the SDF in recent weeks offering to incorporate the group’s 50,000 fighters into three divisions and brigades, pending the SDF ceding some of its command to the Syrian government and opening SDF territory to Syrian government forces. Despite Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani echoing Fidan’s assessment, he noted during the joint meeting that Damascus had “received a response [from the SDF] … and this response is currently being studied.”

FDD Expert Response

“It is clear that deep fissures between the SDF and Syrian government security forces have not been addressed, while Turkey remains a belligerent towards Kurdish autonomy in parts of Syria. Turkey has pushed for up-front concessions from the SDF and full immediate integration into Syrian government-controlled military units, but confidence-building measures need to be taken. Turkey has forged multiple agreements with Damascus to provide weapons and military training to the Syrian government, but this is largely to build leverage against the SDF and force larger concessions and disarmament. The U.S. should recognize the play by Turkey and continue to support the SDF forces that have been integral to combating ISIS.” — Tyler Stapleton, Senior Director of Government Relations at FDD Action

“It is no surprise that clashes broke out during a visit by Erdogan’s ‘wali’ for Syria, Hakan Fidan, one of the architects of the new Turkish imperial project in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean. The de-escalation shows that Syria is not entirely comfortable taking instructions and ultimatums from Ankara. Interim President al-Sharaa knows that Syria’s minorities will need more careful handling if he is to succeed as a national leader.” — Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Fellow

“With each announcement, Turkish officials, from Erdogan to Fidan, are making it abundantly clear that they only interested in escalating tensions inside Syria to the brink of armed conflict. Ankara is the sole actor inside Syria that has been a persistent destabilizing element. Erdogan has one goal in sight: to fuel a bloodlust against Syrian Kurds to fire up his domestic voter base, in a continuous effort to distract them from his disastrous management of the Turkish economy. Erdogan thrives on narratives of divisiveness, manufacturing enemies, and delusions of grandeur as spurious justification for an outsized Turkish role in the region.” — Sinan Ciddi, Senior Fellow

“Washington has bet that Ahmad al-Sharaa will stabilize Syria, but Ankara is pulling him in the opposite direction. Turkey’s demand that the SDF disarm would leave the Kurdish group vulnerable to a fragile regime without a disciplined army. Neither side wants war, but Turkey’s domineering influence over Syria’s armed forces could push the country back toward conflict, further fragmenting an already unstable state.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst