The head of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led militia allied with the United States, announced a significant halt in their operations against the Islamic State (ISIS) due to an aggressive campaign launched by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA). This campaign, dubbed “Dawn of Freedom,” began in late November following a separate offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaeda offshoot, against the regime of Bashar al-Assad. HTS’s recent military successes, including the fall of the Assad regime, have created a precarious situation for the SDF. Reports indicate that the SNA has expelled SDF forces from the strategically important Kurdish-held city of Manbij and the region of Deir Ezzor, raising alarm over the potential for ethnic cleansing against Kurdish civilians.
General Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the SDF, highlighted that the SNA’s military actions distract from the ongoing fight against ISIS, a group that is reportedly gaining strength in the Syrian desert amidst the chaos. He noted an uptick in terrorist activities, including recent attacks that resulted in the deaths of SDF personnel. Citing a challenging military reality, Abdi emphasized that the SDF’s joint operations with the U.S. to counter ISIS are currently stagnant, primarily due to the distraction of defending against Turkish proxies. Mutual combat against ISIS, once a priority for the SDF and the U.S., has taken a backseat as resources shift towards protecting Kurdish communities from SNA incursions.
Abdi also voiced concerns regarding the security of SDF-operated detention facilities housing ISIS fighters. With ongoing assaults from the SNA, he warned of a significant risk that these detention centers could be compromised, leading to a potential wave of released extremists. The SDF’s ability to combat ISIS has sharply diminished as their focus diverts to civilian protection, which could inadvertently enable the group’s resurgence. The urgency of the situation suggests that ongoing conflicts could play directly into ISIS’s hands, allowing them to re-establish control in the regions previously liberated from their influence.
The geopolitical dynamics of the situation are further complicated by U.S. involvement, as Turkey is a NATO ally, which affects Washington’s response to Turkish aggression toward the SDF. The Biden administration’s apparent lack of strong condemnation of the SNA’s advances and inadequate support for the Kurds raise significant concerns among the SDF leadership. Although U.S. military representatives, including General Erik Kurilla of CENTCOM, continue to engage with the SDF, the Pentagon has downplayed the risks posed to ISIS detainees, maintaining that their partnership with the SDF remains robust. However, the lack of a definitive U.S. commitment to protecting the SDF from Turkish-backed forces leaves the Kurdish group in a precarious position.
In light of increased tensions and the absence of firm U.S. assurances, the SDF seems to be shifting its strategy. Recently, Kurdish officials began displaying the Syrian rebel flag over their territories instead of the banner associated with the Assad regime. Such gestures indicate a possible recalibration of the SDF’s alliances and a pragmatic approach to the swiftly changing battlefield, particularly as HTS continues to assert control over significant territories previously held by the Assad government. Abdi has expressed a willingness to engage with HTS to safeguard Kurdish interests and reduce the threat of SNA aggression.
Ultimately, General Abdi articulates a cautious but necessary shift in the SDF’s alliances and operations. Acknowledging the complex landscape of Syrian conflict shaped by multiple factions, he maintains his commitment to defending his people while navigating the intricate dynamics of partnerships and territorial control. As the situation evolves, the SDF’s capacity to combat ISIS and maintain stability in the region hangs in the balance, precariously positioned between the competing interests of Turkish-backed forces, HTS, and their own Kurdish aspirations.
