Intense fighting between Turkish-backed factions and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria’s northern Manbij region has resulted in the deaths of 37 people, including five civilians, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. The clashes, supported by Turkish airstrikes, have continued despite U.S. efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
The British-based monitor confirmed that most casualties were Turkish-backed fighters, along with six SDF members. The death toll since the fighting reignited last month has surpassed 322.
Mazloum Abdi, head of the U.S.-backed SDF, recently called for a nationwide ceasefire and urged Syria’s leadership to intervene for peace, emphasizing the need for Syria’s territorial unity. His remarks followed a meeting between Kurdish leaders and Damascus officials in hopes of reducing hostilities.
Turkey has long accused the SDF’s primary component, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), of links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a designated terrorist organization by Ankara, the U.S., and the EU. Tensions have persisted despite U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledging Turkey’s security concerns while urging diplomatic resolutions to prevent further conflict.
Turkey has conducted multiple operations against the SDF since 2016 and recently threatened further military action unless Kurdish forces comply with Ankara’s conditions for a transition after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.