Escalating Conflict in Northeast Syria Signals Dangerous Turning Point

Nine SNA fighters killed and 11 others injured in SDF attacks on Turkish bases in the villages of al-Hoshariya near Manbij and Deir Hafir Northern Syria, the conflict has reached new levels of intensity.

This is a locator map for the conflicting forces in Syria. (Photo: Kurdistan24)
This is a locator map for the conflicting forces in Syria. (Photo: Kurdistan24)

Jan. 24, 2025

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The recent escalation in Rojava (Northern Syria (underscores a critical shift in the ongoing military confrontation between the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), per Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

The conflict in Rojava escalated, as nine SNA fighters killed and 11 others injured in SDF attacks on Turkish bases in the villages of al-Hoshariya near Manbij and Deir Hafir Northern Syria, the conflict has reached new levels of intensity.

The attacks, which also targeted Turkish personnel and equipment in the village of Atshanah south of Manbij, are being framed as retaliatory strikes by the SDF against sustained Turkish ground and air offensives in Rojava.

The Turkish military’s recent bombardments, including airstrikes near the Tishreen Dam and heavy artillery attacks in Kobani’s countryside, have prompted violent reprisals, with both sides locked in a dangerous cycle of tit-for-tat operations.

According to SOHR, Turkish warplanes bombed areas near the Tishreen Dam earlier this day, resulting in massive explosions and plumes of smoke but no reported casualties. Simultaneously, Turkish heavy artillery shelled villages west of Kobani city in Rojava (Northern Syria (, further escalating tensions.

Since the escalation began on Dec. 12, 2024, the SOHR documented 29 Turkish drone strikes, 9 in Aleppo, 9 in Hasakah, 11 in Raqqa and more than 450 fatalities including:

 • 51 civilians, among them 7 women and 4 children.
 • 357 members of Turkish-backed factions.
 • 75 SDF fighters and affiliated personnel.

This spike in casualties highlights the intensifying human cost of the conflict. Turkish airstrikes and artillery fire on key areas such as Raqqa, Hasaka, and Kobani countryside aim to establish a new military reality on the ground.

Read More: Turkey Escalates Drone Operations in Rojava, Targets Critical Infrastructure

The SDF’s retaliatory strikes, including rocket barrages and artillery fire on SNA positions, illustrate their resolve to counter Turkish advances.

The targeting of infrastructure, such as the Tishreen Dam, further amplifies the conflict’s broader strategic implications.

Located on the Euphrates River in Syria, the dam is vital for water and electricity supplies in northern Syria. Strikes near such critical sites risk severe humanitarian consequences and could escalate international involvement in the region.

According to SOHR, the escalation has also had a devastating impact on civilians.

Villages such as Um Harmal near Tel Abyad and Rabi’at in Abu Rasin, in Northeast Syria, have faced intense shelling, causing significant material damage and instilling fear among local populations.

Reports of sectarian slogans found in areas controlled by Iranian militias in Deir al-Zor further fuel concerns over the conflict’s potential to deepen divisions within Syria.

The ongoing clashes between the SDF and Turkish-backed factions reflect a broader struggle for influence in northern Syria. Turkey’s intensified military campaign appears aimed at reshaping territorial dynamics ahead of potential political negotiations.

Meanwhile, the SDF continues to defend its hold over key areas, leveraging international support and its strategic alliances.

However, the escalation threatens to destabilize an already volatile region, with international actors increasingly alarmed by the violence.

Calls for de-escalation are growing, yet the lack of a cohesive diplomatic framework leaves little room for optimism.

Read More: Iran Voices Concerns Over Attacks on Syrian Civilians Calls for Unity

The Northeast Syria conflict has entered a perilous phase, with both Turkey and the SDF escalating their military campaigns to secure territorial and strategic gains.

As civilian casualties mount and key infrastructure comes under attack, the international community is calling for an urgent act to mediate and prevent further destabilization.

Read More: Escalating Turkish attacks pose threat to humanitarian situation in Kobani