Turkish-Backed Forces Attack Kurds South of Syria Safe Zone

Kurdish SDF launched counterattack outside town

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.

Author: Jason Ditz

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.