SDF resumes joint operations with US forces in northern Syria

SDF placed all joint-operations with US forces on pause after Turkiye shelled Syria's northern region for several weeks

By News Desk; The Cradle

December 5, 2022

https://thecradle.co/Article/News/19149

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the resumption of joint operations with US forces in northern Syria following tensions between the militia and Turkiye.

The spokesperson for the SDF refrained from commenting on the subject for the time being. 

In recent weeks, Ankara has increased its attacks in northern Syria against Kurdish militant groups, which Turkiye categorizes as terrorists. 

Last week, Washington warned the SDF that Ankara is planning to launch a new ground invasion into northern Syria.

Ankara and Washington’s defense ministers discussed the situation in Syria during a phone conversation, after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu blasted the US for its continuous support of Kurdish militias, essentially calling for the dismantling of their ties.

A few days prior, the SDF placed all joint operations with US forces on pause after Turkiye shelled Syria’s northern region for weeks.

On 29 November, Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces, representatives of the Syrian National Army (SNA), and Turkish officials met to determine military strategies against the Kurdish-led militias.

The notion of a ground invasion is currently off the table due to international pressure from Russia, Iran, and the United States; however, Turkiye insists that Kurdish militias should be replaced by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).

Ankara’s operation against the Kurdish militias in Syria is named “Claw-Sword,” which began on 19 November, when Turkiye struck hundreds of Kurdish military command centers.

Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin recently revealed that Turkiye demands “the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from its borders by 30 kilometers.”

On 27 November, large reinforcements of US forces entered Syria’s northern region from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) via the illegal Al-Waleed border crossing, consisting of 100 trucks carrying soldiers and equipment.

This came after Ankara blamed the SDF and its coalition for the deadly Istanbul blast on 13 November. The SDF has also accused the US of turning a blind eye to recent Turkish aggression.