Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) General Mazloum Abdi, has raised alarm over escalating violence in northern and eastern parts of Syria. While speaking to Fox News, Abdi warned of the alarming threat of another “bloody civil war” if Turkey and its allied Islamist groups persist with attacks against Kurdish forces.
Turkey, alongside the Syrian National Army (SNA) and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has targeted Kurdish-controlled regions, launching offensives in three towns since the weekend. Kurdish forces, vital US allies in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), now find themselves under siege. Abdi noted that Turkish drone strikes and artillery bombardments, reaching up to 81 drone attacks daily, have significantly hindered SDF’s counterterrorism operations.
The Kurdish community fears ongoing attacks may lead to ethnic cleansing. Turkey, which has a history of such actions, allegedly aims to reduce Kurdish influence near its border. A Kurdish source highlighted the danger, stating, “The Turks have begun moving toward Kobani. Ethnic cleansing is ongoing, and civil war alarm bells are ringing.”
Turkey equates the SDF with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group it considers a terrorist organization. This association has long fueled Turkish military campaigns against the Kurds, including attempts to dismantle the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), the Kurdish-led governing body in the region.
General Abdi also cautioned that the unrest could enable a resurgence of ISIS. The SDF oversees prisons housing 45,000 ISIS detainees and their families. However, half of the guards have been reassigned due to the attacks, leaving facilities vulnerable. Abdi emphasized the precarious situation at the Raqqa prison, which holds 1,000 ISIS fighters.
“The number of guards has diminished by half, putting these facilities in a fragile position,” Abdi warned. He added that factions opposing the Kurds could unite with ISIS, exacerbating the threat of terrorism.
Despite a recent US-mediated ceasefire, Turkey and its proxies have continued attacks. Over the weekend, SNA forces targeted Manjib and Kobani, while HTS captured the city of Deir Ezzor. Kurdish leaders now urge immediate intervention to prevent further violence and protect the region’s stability.
The escalating tensions underscore the fragile state of Syria, where years of conflict continue to fuel instability and humanitarian crises.
