Newsletters
Syria's military operations directorate issued a stark warning to terror groups on Thursday, saying it is evaluating its next steps after the expiration of an ultimatum to the terror group SDF and accusing the group of bringing in reinforcements from PKK terrorists based in Iraq.
The Operations Directorate of the Syrian Arab Army said in a statement that the SDF has brought reinforcements from PKK terrorists from the Qandil Mountains to al-Hasakah Governorate and continues to commit violations in areas under its control, including arrests, displacement and torture of those who oppose its policies.
"The Army will remain the protective shield for all components of Syrian society, preserve the unity of the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, and confront all cross-border terrorist projects," the directorate said in its statement posted on social media.
The warnings come as Syria accuses the SDF terror group of multiple ceasefire violations that killed 11 Syrian soldiers on the first day of a truce announced earlier this week.
The Syrian government claims that members of the PKK have crossed from northern Iraq into Syria to reinforce the YPG/SDF, with multiple convoys carrying armed terrorists and heavy weapons arriving in Qamishli and Hasakah. Buses carrying PKK members reportedly entered Qamishli from Iraq, with individuals wearing assault vests and carrying weapons while dressed in civilian clothing.
Trucks described as carrying humanitarian aid from northern Iraq arrived in YPG/SDF-controlled Qamishli, accompanied by numerous individuals who spread throughout the region, according to Syrian government sources. Heavy weapons were also observed among those crossing into Hasakah.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visited Nineveh and Anbar provinces on Jan. 21, conducting inspections at military units along the Iraq-Syria border.
Despite the military warnings, the Syrian operations directorate said humanitarian corridors will be opened in the coming hours to provide support and relief in cooperation with relevant ministries. The statement did not specify which areas would receive humanitarian access.
The directorate warned the SDF against "continuing their provocations and the dissemination of lies and selectively edited videos," adding that officials are studying the field situation and operational conditions to determine the next step.
Syrian state media released footage showing the release of detainees under the age of 18 who were being held by the SDF in Al-Aqtan Prison in the city of Raqqa, though the circumstances and timing of the releases were not detailed.
1 min read
Türkiye has been monitoring the potential expulsion of approximately 8,000 non-Syrian PKK members from the SDF as part of a 14-point integration agreement between the group and the Syrian government.
Turkish security sources said those foreign fighters, mostly Turkish, Iranian and Iraqi nationals, would be deported as part of efforts to achieve a "terror-free Turkiye."
The SDF has consistently denied ties with the Iraq-based PKK. However, after Syrian Army advances, posters of imprisoned PKK ringleader Abdullah Ocalan and other pro-PKK materials were reportedly found in SDF headquarters.
The YPG, which dominates the SDF, is considered by Türkiye to be the Syrian branch of the PKK. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States and the European Union.
Syria said Wednesday that 11 soldiers were killed and more than 25 wounded in what it described as ceasefire violations by the YPG/SDF on the first day of the announced deal.
Seven soldiers were killed in al-Yarubiyah in northeastern Hasaka province, two near Mount Abdul Aziz south of Hasaka, and two in the Sirin area east of Aleppo.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
