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Clashes reignited between the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the eastern countryside of Aleppo on January 28, with both sides taking casualties.
The clashes broke out following an alleged Turkish drone strike on a market in the SDF-hedl town of Sarrin that claimed the lives of some 13 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Four of the casualties were said to be children.
The deadly incident was followed by Turkish artillery strikes on a convoy of pro-SDF protestors who were heading towards Tishreen Dam on the Euphrates River, which has been the focal point of the clashes between the SNA and Kurdish forces. No casualties were reported however.
Responding to the strikes, the SDF shelled on January 29 SNA posts close to the town of Emo near the Karakozak Bridge, which is also located on the Euphrates, killing four Turkish backed fighters. Later, the group shelled another post in the town of al-Hawsharyiah, killing six more SNA fighters.
Turkey launched more airstrikes against SDF posts in the eastern Aleppo countryside on January 29, targeting an airstrip near Sarrin and the vicinity of Tishreen Dam without causing any casualties.
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It’s worth noting that in the days leading to the clashes the SDF stepped up its FPV drone strikes in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, damaging or destroying several pieces of equipment of the Turkish military, including two T-155 Fırtına self-propelled howitzers.
The confrontation in the eastern Aleppo countryside broke out following the collapse of the Assad regime last month. So far, more than 500 people have been killed with the SNA taking most of the losses.
The SDF, which is backed by the United States, has been engaged in talks with both Turkey and the transitional government in Damascus, which is led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. However, the talks are yet to produce a result as the group appears to be determined to maintain its military autonomy even if it becomes part of the future Syrian military.
Recent reports suggest that the U.S. may be preparing more than 2,000 troops currently deployed in SDF-held territories in north and eastern Syria, including the eastern Aleppo countryside. Such a move could weaken the SDF to the point of collapse.
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