DAMASCUS, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Forces loyal to Syria's interim authorities on Saturday accused militias linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) of attacking their troops in Dibsi Afnan, a town in northern Raqqa province.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had earlier reported clashes in Dibsi Afnan as government-aligned forces sought to advance east toward the Euphrates River following the capture of Deir Hafer in Aleppo province. The SDF said "several" of its fighters were killed, alleging pro-Damascus forces struck before a planned withdrawal was completed.
Pro-government forces, in turn, said SDF fighters also killed two soldiers and wounded others in an attack on Maskanah, a town in neighboring Aleppo province. They vowed to continue operations to assert control over areas west of the Euphrates and urged civilians to avoid armed positions.
Separately, Damascus security authorities said internal security forces had entered Deir Hafer and Maskanah to restore stability and prepare for the return of state institutions.
The clashes follow a Friday statement by SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, who said his forces would begin withdrawing from front lines east of Aleppo and redeploying east of the Euphrates starting Saturday. The Damascus authorities said its troops had entered the areas to restore security and monitor the pullout.
The SDF accused government forces of moving convoys, heavy weapons, and tanks into the area before the withdrawal was complete, sparking the fighting that killed several fighters.
The escalation highlights the fragility of the March 2025 agreement, which aims to integrate the SDF into state institutions and end parallel military control in northern Syria. Both the interim authorities and SDF have accused each other of violating the deal. ■
