Damascus: The U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported the death of five fighters on Saturday following attacks by Turkish-backed forces on the city of Manbij in northern Syria.
The clashes in Manbij erupted after the fall of Bashar al-Assad nearly two weeks ago. On December 9, Turkey and the Syrian armed groups it supports gained control of the city, displacing the Kurdish-led SDF.
Tensions Between Key Players
The SDF, a key ally in the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State militants, is predominantly led by the YPG. Ankara views the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has waged an armed insurgency against Turkey for four decades. Consequently, Turkey designates the PKK, YPG, and SDF as terrorist organizations.
Efforts to mediate between the conflicting parties have involved the United States, which is working to prevent further escalations between Turkey, Turkish-backed Syrian Arab groups, and the SDF.
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Disputed Ceasefire Reports
The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that a ceasefire around Manbij had been extended until the end of the week. However, conflicting reports emerged on Thursday when a Turkish defense ministry official denied any ceasefire agreement with the SDF, casting doubt over the prospects for sustained peace in the region.
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