The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a key US ally in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), has suspended its operations against the terrorist group in eastern Syria. The decision comes as the SDF faces increased pressure from Turkish military forces along the border, which has led to a surge in clashes and casualties.
According to SDF officials, the suspension of anti-ISIS operations is necessary to allow the militia to focus on defending its territory against Turkish aggression. The SDF has been a crucial partner for the US-led coalition in the fight against ISIS, providing ground forces and intelligence that have been instrumental in defeating the terrorist group in Syria.
However, the SDF’s decision to halt operations against ISIS has raised concerns among US officials, who fear that the move could allow the terrorist group to regroup and launch new attacks. The US has invested heavily in the SDF, providing military aid and training to the militia, and has relied on it to hold territory seized from ISIS.
The clashes between the SDF and Turkish forces have been ongoing for weeks, with both sides trading artillery fire and conducting airstrikes along the border. The tensions have been fueled by Turkey’s concerns about the presence of Kurdish militias along its border, which it views as a threat to its national security.
The SDF, which is dominated by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), has been a key player in the Syrian civil war, controlling large swaths of territory in northern and eastern Syria. However, its relationship with Turkey has been tense, with Ankara viewing the YPG as a terrorist organization due to its links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state.
The suspension of anti-ISIS operations has also raised concerns about the fate of thousands of ISIS fighters and their families who are being held in SDF-controlled detention centers. The SDF has warned that it may be forced to release the detainees if it is unable to continue holding them due to the Turkish military pressure.
The development has also sparked concerns about the stability of the region, with many fearing that the Turkish military action could lead to a wider conflict that draws in other regional powers. The US has urged Turkey to exercise restraint and has called on the SDF to continue its operations against ISIS, but so far, the situation remains volatile.
