Syria’s transitional government is trying to do outreach to Kurds as it appears to prepare a new offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces.
The SDF is backed by the US and is composed mostly of Kurds, controlling eastern Syria.
Syrian security forces recently ejected Kurdish fighters from two neighborhoods in Aleppo, raising concerns about Damascus abusing the rights of Kurds. US officials, who back the new Syrian government, are concerned about attacks on the SDF.
Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa “affirmed that the injustices witnessed in Syria during the decades of the deposed regime’s rule affected all segments of the Syrian population without exception,” Syrian state media said on Wednesday.
“The President stressed that the post-liberation period represents a new beginning based on equal citizenship, the rule of law, and the building of state institutions. This ensures the constitutional rights of all Syrians, preserves the unity of Syrian territory, and strengthens stability and development.”
At the same time, Shara’a is conducting an outreach to build support in the region. He spoke to the Emir of Qatar this week.
Meanwhile, Damascus is also trying to show that Kurds displaced from Aleppo in the fighting are returning. “The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that thousands of displaced residents have begun returning to their homes in the Aleppo neighborhoods of Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud, following weeks of displacement caused by clashes between the Syrian Arab Army and the SDF organization,” SANA noted.
Syria plans SDF offensive while engaging Kurds for support
Now, Syria is preparing the ground for a new offensive. Syrian state media SANA noted that “the Syrian Arab Army’s Operations Command announced on Wednesday the opening of a humanitarian corridor toward Aleppo city, saying the passage will be opened on Thursday via Hmemeh village on the M15 main road linking Deir Hafer with Aleppo.”
Syrian officials said, “We draw the attention of our people residing in the previously specified eastern Aleppo area, identified via the screens and platforms of al-Ikhbariyah channel, that a humanitarian corridor will be opened tomorrow toward Aleppo city.” The concept of a humanitarian corridor appears to be one of several messaging themes that Syria has borrowed from Israel’s war in Gaza.
Syria has begun to send reinforcements to the Dayr Hafir front near the Euphrates, as the country is opening, saying that it is fighting against “SDF elements, PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] terrorist militants, and remnants of the deposed regime.”
SANA said, “On Tuesday, the Army’s Operations Command declared Deir Hafer and Maskanah, located on the western bank of the Euphrates, a closed military zone due to continued mobilization by SDF groups, PKK militants, and remnants of the deposed regime.” Using “closed military zones” is also language that Damascus appears to have borrowed from Israeli announcements, but it remains unclear whether Syria is using this terminology systematically to appeal to Western audiences.
The accusation that the SDF is linked to the PKK is an accusation often made by Turkey.
Turkey is backing the Syrian government, and the SDF has reported that Turkish drones have been active over the frontline recently. There are concerns in SDF ranks that Ankara may join a Syrian government offensive.
Syria’s government is portraying the SDF as recruiting former Assad regime members, saying that the SDF is working with “criminals are being recruited with support from Iran and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).” A factor that will not go over well with US officials who have worked closely with the SDF for years.
In another move, designed to prepare the way for a new offensive, SANA reported several times that “the Syrian Arab Army Operations Command declared the areas of Deir Hafer and Maskanah, located on the western Euphrates, a closed military zone following continued mobilization by SDF groups, along with PKK terrorists and remnants of the deposed regime in the area.”
Damascus officials published a map of the area being targeted in the upcoming offensive, including Dayr Hafir, Maskanah, Babiri, and Qawas on the western bank of the Euphrates.