Clashes resume between Syrian national army, PKK/YPG militants in eastern Aleppo

Intense fighting has erupted on the frontlines of Sad Teshrin village in the eastern Aleppo countryside, marking a significant escalation in the conflict between the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The National Army factions launched attacks on several villages, taking advantage of Turkish airstrikes and extensive artillery shelling targeting the region, Caliber.Az reports citing Syrian sources.

In response, the SDF deployed landmines to slow the advance of the attackers while reinforcing their positions, anticipating further airstrikes.

Clashes have been concentrated in the frontlines of Haj Hussein, Al-Saidin, Atshana, Aloush, and Al-Mustaha villages, as local residents express growing fears over the escalating military activity.

The violence has also spread to the countryside of Manbij, further intensifying the conflict in eastern Aleppo. As of the latest reports, the death toll from the ongoing clashes has risen to 62, with 12 members of the SDF and 50 fighters from the National Army factions confirmed dead.

The fighting has been particularly fierce around the villages of Haj Hussein, Al-Saidin, Atshana, Aloush, Al-Mustaha, the area surrounding the Teshrin Dam, and the Karah Kuzak Bridge, located southeast of Manbij. Both sides have employed heavy and medium weapons, with the SDF also using drones in the confrontations. The clashes have resulted in the destruction of several military vehicles belonging to pro-Türkiye factions.

Örgüt istediği kadar propaganda için FPV drone görüntüsü yayınlasın boş. Tişrin hattında SMO büyük ilerlemeler sağladı, baraj kısmına giden yol kaldı şu an. pic.twitter.com/4j1WTrnEpW

— Eren (@Ebuselmnbelarus) January 3, 2025

Earlier, Turkish fighter jets launched a series of airstrikes targeting positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish militia backed by the US and affiliated with the PKK/YPG, in the eastern part of Aleppo.

The airstrikes hit positions in Sad Teshrin and the town of Deir Hafer, located southeast of the city of Manbij.

Turkish artillery also shelled Abo Raseen Town and Tel Tamr countryside north western of Al-Hasakah. However, no casualties were reported.

A Turkish drone attacked a military position of SDF in Boujaq village in southern Sarrin town in Ain Al-Arab (Kobani) countryside, but no casualties were reported.

This was the second drone attack in a matter of hours.

Two members of the Internal Security Forces “Asayish”, who were guarding the municipal building in Hurriyah town, were injured in an attack carried out by Turkish drone on the municipal building in Al-Tabaqah countryside in western Al-Raqqah countryside.

By Vafa Guliyeva