Tension is rising with only 25 days separate Damascus and the SDF from the end of the March agreement

The contact zones between the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Army in the eastern countryside of Aleppo are witnessing a renewal of clashes, in a scene that reflects the fragility of the understandings on the ground between the two sides, despite the agreement announced on March 10.

The town of Deir Hafer is strategically important as its located at a sensitive point of contact between the areas controlled by the Syrian government from the south and west, and the SDF’s areas of influence from the north and east, making it a permanent focus of tension for weeks.

According to local sources, four Turkish drones fell in less than two days, in conjunction with the arrival of military reinforcements from both sides on both banks of the Euphrates River in Deir Ezzor province, in an indication of a possible military escalation.

Although the March agreement was supposed to establish a framework for de-escalation and the organization of the military presence in the east of the country, the reality on the ground shows a large gap between the texts and the implementation, and a stumble in the implementation of the agreed clauses.

The SDF forces accused the Syrian government of carrying out a drone attacks that targeted SDF areas, while Syrian official sources denied these accusations.

On the other hand, press reports said that the SDF began shelling Syrian army positions, only to be retaliated by using heavy weapons and mortar shells, and the clashes resulted in the injury of two soldiers in the ranks of the Syrian army, in addition to damage to one of the SDF points.

The SDF said in a statement on its Telegram channel that pro-government factions targeted a crossing in the area with sniper weapons, causing material damage to civilian property without recording human casualties.

In light of this escalation, the issue of the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army has once again emerged as a pivotal contentious issue.

While Damascus demands that the SDF join as members of the military establishment, the latter insists on merging as an integrated military bloc of three divisions to maintain its structure.

Kurdish sources confirmed that the last round of negotiations between the two sides was held during the visit of senior SDF military commander Siban Hamo to Damascus about six weeks ago, but didn’t lead to tangible progress.

According to the same sources, the Syrian government’s withdrawal from the agreement is due to Turkish pressures that refuse to keep the SDF united and demand its complete dissolution and the surrender of its weapons.

For his part, a Syrian government source said that Damascus refuses to retain any independent military structures within the state, stressing that the time of separate entities is over after the fall of the Assad regime, and that all forces must be subordinated to state institutions.

He added that divisions within the SDF leadership have weakened its negotiating position and failed to implement the March agreement, warning that continued intransigence may push towards a military option to regain control and impose sovereignty.

On the other hand, the SDF intensified its military exercises in Hasakah, Aleppo and Deir Ezzor, and scenes published by it showed high combat readiness, amid confirmation of continued US support for it in operations against ISIS.

The international coalition led by the United States participated in extensive drills inside a base north of Hasakeh for several consecutive days, including the use of advanced weapons and striking hypothetical targets.

At the same time, photos of prominent commanders in the Syrian Ministry of Defense reviewing maps of the SDF’s deployment areas have circulated on social media, amid leaks that Türkiye has given the green light to start a possible military action.

The SDF confirms that its ready for any confrontations, and considers the handover of its weapons a redline.