Syria: Retaliatory actions of SDF forces in Qamishli!

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) accuse the Syrian government of failing to meet the needs of the Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah in Aleppo and preventing flour, fuel and food from entering the neighborhood. Hence, in a series of retaliatory measures, SDF forces imposed restrictions on the city of Qamishli, preventing Syrian government employees from entering office and governmental buildings in the city. Following these actions, SDF forces entered some places such as the educational complex, the finance department, the electricity department and a bank and fired the employees. Last week, Syrian Democratic Forces also attacked the al-Ba’ath bakery (the only bakery controlled by the Syrian government) in the city of Qamishli.

Also in the city of Hasakah, SDF forces imposed restrictions on places controlled by the Syrian government.

Explaining the recent events and tensions in the cities of Qamishli and Aleppo, the Islamic World News source in Syria stated, “The essence of the tensions is rooted in the oil purchase agreements signed between the Syrian government and the SDF. In general, the Syrian government provides part of the necessities of the Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah in Aleppo. When the transaction or the transfer of oil is delayed for some reason or there is an obstacle in doing so; Tensions are rising; And this issue manifests itself in the form of stopping the supply of necessities in one area in the city of Aleppo or the siege of government areas in another city; An issue that is never mentioned in the media.”

According to Hasakah Governor Ghassan Halim Khalil, meetings are currently being held with Russian mediation to resolve the issue. In January 2021, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) besieged the Syrian government-controlled neighborhoods of Hasakah and Qamishli after accusing the Syrian government of blocking fuel from reaching the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood. At that time, after several meetings and mediation by Russia, the tensions and siege ended and the situation returned to normal.

It is noteworthy that despite the current tensions between the Syrian government and SDF forces, there has been no change in positions and areas under the control of both sides in the cities of Qamishli and Hasakah. These tensions also seem to stop soon.