The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) decided yesterday (17 January) to withdraw from the Deir Hafir and Maskanah areas in an effort to reduce tensions in Syria and demonstrate their intention to reach a solution. However, before the withdrawal was completed, armed groups affiliated with the Transitional Government and backed by the Turkish state launched attacks.
The attacks that began in Deir Hafir and Maskanah later spread to the rural areas of Tabqa, Tishreen, Mansura, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor.
SDF fighters and Internal Security Forces responded to the attacks, and intense clashes erupted. The SDF, YPJ, and Internal Security Forces responded forcefully using tanks, artillery units, and all types of heavy weapons, inflicting heavy losses on the armed groups.
The clashes continued intensely until the early hours of the morning.
Fighting is still ongoing between SDF forces, the YPJ, and armed groups in the rural areas of Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, Mansura, and Tabqa.