Deir Ezzor
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced on Sunday the renewal of military tensions in eastern Syria, reporting that its positions on the banks of the Euphrates River in the town of Darnaj in eastern Deir Ezzor countryside came under direct attack by armed groups supported by the Syrian Interim Authority.
According to a statement issued by the SDF Media Center, the attack targeted its forces stationed near the al-Ashara bridge while the assailants were securing the passage of smugglers across the river.
SDF confirmed that they responded on the ground to the incident, holding Damascus “fully responsible for the attack and for providing cover to smuggling operations that undermine stability in the region.”
The latest development reflects the continuing fragility of understandings between the two sides, despite the agreement signed last March which was supposed to pave the way for a comprehensive settlement.
This incident is not the first of its kind, as the SDF had previously accused Damascus of more than 20 violations in recent months in Deir Ezzor and Aleppo provinces, including attacks with light weapons and infiltration attempts across the Euphrates, which resulted in civilian injuries and property damage.
In late August, a similar attack targeted an SDF outpost in the town of al-Jeneina west of Deir Ezzor using automatic weapons and a small drone, leaving several of its members injured.
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These developments come despite the agreement signed on March 10, 2025, between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Interim Authority, led by interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa.
The agreement stipulated the integration of SDF civilian and military personnel into state institutions and the guarantee of rights for local communities, along with a ceasefire. However, repeated violations and mutual accusations between the two sides have cast doubt on the seriousness of implementing this deal.
The United States, which supports the Syrian Democratic Forces in combating the extremist ISIS organization, expressed growing concern over the recurrence of such clashes.
American officials had previously stated in press remarks that the continuation of attacks “endangers efforts to maintain stability east of the Euphrates,” urging Damascus to abide by its commitments under the March agreement.
Moscow, for its part, emphasized the need for “restraint” and called for the resumption of dialogue between the two sides, considering that preserving political understandings is the only way to avoid a return to chaos in the region.
Meanwhile, the United Nations warned in its recent reports that any new escalation could threaten the conditions of civilians and hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid to eastern Deir Ezzor countryside.
Security experts warn that the escalation of confrontations between the SDF and Damascus plays into the hands of ISIS cells spread across the Deir Ezzor desert and along the Euphrates River.
With the SDF preoccupied with repelling repeated attacks, its focus on security operations against the organization diminishes, giving ISIS the opportunity to regroup and launch quick raids targeting remote villages and supply lines.
This instability also provides ISIS with the chance to strengthen its recruitment and financing through smuggling networks, with each side accusing the other of involvement in them.
Observers fear that the continued tension between the SDF and Damascus could undermine years of international efforts to cut off the group’s resources and revive a volatile environment similar to the one that previously enabled its expansion.
