Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States battled Syrian government troops in northeastern Syria early Tuesday, both sides confirmed, creating a new challenge for President Bashar al-Assad’s forces already reeling from the loss of Aleppo to rebels last week.
The fighting erupted near several villages across the Euphrates River from Deir al-Zor, as airstrikes targeted Iran-backed militias supporting government forces in the region. Security sources blamed the strikes on the U.S.-led coalition, though Reuters could not independently verify this claim and coalition forces have not responded to requests for comment.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-supported alliance led primarily by Kurdish militia YPG, announced its Deir al-Zor Military Council had assumed control of seven villages previously held by Syrian forces. Syrian state media countered that government troops were repelling an SDF assault on these positions, the only remaining government presence along the eastern Euphrates bank.
“The SDF push aims to exploit government forces’ weakness after the rebel advance,” a Syrian military officer told reporters, adding that reinforcements from both the army and Iran-backed militias were being deployed.
The escalation comes amid intensified fighting near Hama, where rebels have repeatedly captured and lost several villages in recent days. Russian and Syrian warplanes have increased airstrikes against rebel positions, while rescue workers report strikes on hospitals in Aleppo and Idlib causing civilian casualties.
The renewed fighting risks further destabilizing a region already strained by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, though a truce between Israel and Hezbollah took effect last week. Iran announced plans for a foreign ministers meeting with Turkey and Russia in Doha next weekend to discuss border stabilization efforts.
