The Syrian transitional government has failed to reach an agreement with Kurdish factions, prolonging clashes in the northern region of the country. On January 19, 2025, at least six individuals were reported dead and five others injured in renewed fighting in northeastern Syria between Turkish-backed factions and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
This latest round of violence has brought the total death toll to approximately 430 since the onset of hostilities on December 12, 2024, over control of the strategic Tishrin Dam and other areas held by Kurdish militias. The clashes have been concentrated near the villages of Al Qashla, Sirtil, and Jerbat Al Zamala, close to the Tishrin Dam, which is vital for the region's electricity supply, including parts of the city of Aleppo.
The northeastern region of Syria has seen intense fighting between the SDF and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024, which involved pro-Turkish militias. Additionally, the new Syrian Defense Minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, rejected the Kurdish proposal to maintain a separate military block, stating that the SDF commander, Mazloum Abdi, was delaying negotiations.
Abu Qasra emphasized that while the SDF expressed willingness to integrate into the Defense Ministry, they insisted on remaining a military block without disbanding. He remarked that the integration should occur within a unified command structure, which poses challenges given the differing views of the United States and Turkey regarding the SDF's role in the region.