Fighting has erupted in and around the NE Syrian town of Tal Tamr,
where Turkish-backed rebel groups have been looking to move against
Kurdish defenses. This is a particularly important site of conflict, as
it is well south of the Turkish-claimed Syrian safe zone.
Turkish-backed groups made moves against the town and surrounding area
last week, and are not backing away. The Kurdish SDF, according to
Syrian officials, have launched counter-attacks in the area, backed by
artillery fire.
The fall of Tal Tamr and neighboring villages would give Turkish forces
an opportunity to push even deeper into eastern Syria, threatening the
main cities in Hasakeh Province.
The SDF is reporting that a volunteer from the US-based Free Burma Rangers was killed over the
weekend when Turkish forces attacked their car. The volunteer was named
Zau Seng, and was documenting Turkish attacks in the area.
Turkish-Backed Forces Attack Kurds South of Syria Safe Zone
Kurdish SDF launched counterattack outside town
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
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