Clashes Erupt in Syria During Visit by Turkish Officials Ahead of Kurdish Integration Deadline

Clashes between Syrian security forces and Kurdish fighters intensified as Turkish officials visited Damascus for Kurdish integration talks. Reports indicate civilian casualties and ongoing violence in Aleppo, highlighting the fragile situation in the region.

Syrian security forces and Kurdish fighters clashed on Monday as Turkish officials visited Damascus. The visit was ahead of a deadline for implementing a deal between the Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces in the northeast. According to Syria's state-run SANA news agency, two civilians died, and 15 were injured due to shelling. Dozens of families fled from two neighbourhoods in Aleppo, which has experienced previous violence.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported that 17 people were injured, and a woman was killed. Conflicting casualty reports remain unresolved. Late on Monday, the Syrian defence ministry announced a ceasefire order. The cause of the clashes in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud and Achrafieh neighbourhoods remains unclear. Syria's Civil Defence agency stated that two emergency responders were injured when SDF fighters fired on their vehicle.

Integration Deal Challenges

A statement from the Kurdish-led forces accused Syrian government troops of firing on a Kurdish checkpoint, while government officials claimed the SDF initiated the attack. In Damascus, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed integrating the SDF into the new Syrian army with Syrian officials. They also talked about Israel's military actions in southern Syria and combating the Islamic State group.

Fidan emphasised, "Syria's stability means Turkey's stability. This is extremely important for us." He urged the SDF to stop hindering Syria's stability, unity, and prosperity. Fidan's delegation included Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler and intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, who met with Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Obstacles to Implementation

The March agreement between al-Sharaa's government and the SDF aimed to merge the Kurdish-led force with the new Syrian army. However, details were vague, and implementation has stalled. A major issue is whether the SDF will remain as a cohesive unit or be dissolved into individual members within the new military. Turkey opposes the SDF joining as a single unit due to its ties with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), considered a terrorist organisation by Ankara.

Kurdish officials mentioned a preliminary agreement allowing three divisions affiliated with the SDF to integrate as units into the new army. However, it's unclear how close they are to finalising it. The original deadline for implementing the March deal was year-end, raising fears of military confrontation if progress isn't made by then.

Turkey's Concerns Over Israel

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani accused the SDF of "systematic procrastination," stating, "We have not seen an initiative or a serious will from the Syrian Democratic Forces to implement this agreement." He added that Damascus had submitted a proposal for moving forward with the military merger and received a response on Sunday without elaborating.

Fidan criticised Israel's "expansionist policies" in Syria and accused the SDF of coordinating with Israel without providing evidence. Since former President Bashar Assad's fall in December 2024, Israel has been cautious about new authorities in Syria. Although al-Sharaa expressed no desire for conflict with Israel, Israeli forces have seized a UN-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria and launched airstrikes on Syrian military sites.

Turkey had a complicated relationship with al-Sharaa when he led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, but Ankara supports his government after he overthrew Assad. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have intervened to persuade US President Donald Trump to lift sanctions on Syria. The Turkish military has supported the new Syrian army by training cadets and officers.

Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, stated last Friday that Turkey's military is prepared to ensure its security but prefers not to intervene against the SDF in Syria. "The agreements provision must be implemented quickly," he said, adding that future efforts should focus on Turks, Kurds, and Arabs living together peacefully.

With inputs from PTI