Recent violent clashes in northern Syria have left around 40 militants dead, as Turkish-backed groups and US-backed Kurdish forces, particularly the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), continue to battle for control.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the fighting in the Manbij countryside involved Turkish-backed factions, with air support from Turkiye, against the Kurdish SDF.
The deadly toll includes 37 Turkish-backed combatants, six SDF fighters, and five civilians.
This battle comes on the heels of rising tensions in Syria, where Turkiye’s proxies have recently captured key Kurdish-held areas, including Manbij and Tal Rifaat.
These clashes have intensified since Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters seized control of Damascus in December, further complicating the regional conflict.
While the United States has acknowledged Turkey’s “legitimate concerns” regarding Kurdish militants linked to the PKK, tensions remain high.
Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, have threatened a large-scale offensive against the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which they accuse of being aligned with the PKK, a group classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey.
The US has backed the YPG in the past, complicating efforts to mediate the conflict.
As the situation worsens, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with US and Turkish interests increasingly at odds in the region.
