Rising tensions in Syria are raising concerns in Washington over a potential large-scale military offensive by Damascus against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a key U.S. partner in the fight against ISIS. U.S. intelligence suggests the operation, reportedly supported by Turkish forces, could destabilize the region and strain already complex relationships between the U.S., Syria, and turkey. The escalating situation prompted a deployment of U.S. military personnel to Deir Hafer on Friday for consultations with local partners, as Washington reportedly threatens to reimpose sanctions via the Caesar Act should the offensive proceed.
Washington is increasingly concerned that a new Syrian military offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) could escalate into a wider campaign against groups backed by the United States, potentially destabilizing Syria and further straining relations between two key U.S. security partners fighting ISIS.
U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly assess that Damascus is planning a large-scale, multi-front operation, with support from the Turkish military, against the SDF in the countryside east of Aleppo, and potentially extending across the Euphrates River into northeastern Syria, according to American officials.
Washington has threatened to reimpose sanctions under the Caesar Act on the Syrian government if Damascus proceeds with the broader offensive, officials said.
Such an operation would expand the scope of fighting into northeastern Syria, where the majority of U.S. forces are deployed. The development underscores growing regional tensions and the complex dynamics of the Syrian conflict.
As a sign of the seriousness of the situation, U.S. military personnel arrived in Deir Hafer on Friday to meet with Syrian partners following days of deadly clashes, according to U.S. Central Command spokesperson Tim Hawkins.
American lawmakers and military officials particularly fear that if fighting extends into northeastern Syria, the Syrian Kurdish fighters guarding hundreds of ISIS prisoners in facilities throughout the region will be forced to abandon their posts, potentially leading to a mass breakout.
U.S. officials stated they have threatened to reimpose sanctions under the Caesar Act on the Syrian government should Damascus move forward with the wider attack.
The SDF announced earlier Friday that it was withdrawing its forces from east of Aleppo to east of the Euphrates River in a gesture of goodwill aimed at completing a process of integration into the Syrian state, according to reports.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said Friday that his forces would withdraw from east of Aleppo at 7:00 a.m. local time Saturday and redeploy to areas east of the Euphrates River.
He added in a post on X that the move came “based on calls from friendly countries and mediators, and our demonstration of goodwill in completing the integration process and commitment to implementing the terms of the agreement of March 10th.”
Meanwhile, the Syrian Defense Ministry welcomed the SDF’s decision to withdraw from areas west of the Euphrates, according to the Syrian News Agency.
The Syrian Army Operations Directorate stated that it would not target the SDF during its withdrawal.
The Syrian News Channel quoted the directorate as saying, “We are closely following the field situation in the operations following the announcement by the SDF commander regarding the withdrawal of his forces from west of the Euphrates.”
The directorate continued, “Our forces are ready to enter the region to restore stability and sovereignty over the Syrian Arab Republic, and to pave the way for the return of residents to their homes and the resumption of the role of state institutions.”
It added, “We are following the implementation of the SDF’s announced decision, and we are prepared for all scenarios.”
The Syrian Army had announced a military operation against “sites of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party and remnants of the former regime allied with the SDF in the city of Deir Hafer.”
The SDF stated that the city of Deir Hafer, east of Aleppo, was under heavy shelling by Syrian forces.
