A violent clash erupted today in northeastern Syria between regime forces and Turkish-backed armed factions, resulting in 23 casualties, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Rami Abdulrahman, the director of the Observatory, reported, “18 members of Turkish-backed factions and five regime forces were killed in clashes that erupted following an infiltration attempt by the factions into the Tel Tamer area in the western Al-Hasakah countryside.”
He also noted that others were injured during the skirmishes.
The confrontations took place in the Tel Tamer area, northwest of Al-Hasakah province, which is under Kurdish control.
The Observatory, relying on an extensive network of sources within Syria, added that members of the opposition factions’ alliance supported by Turkey, known as the “Syrian National Army,” attempted to infiltrate the area earlier in the day.
The Syrian army and local fighters affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by the Kurds, responded, resulting in casualties, as reported by the Observatory.
Tel Tamer is situated near a border strip controlled by Ankara and its allies. Since 2016, Turkey has launched multiple military operations against Kurdish forces in northern Syria, enabling it to control border regions.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has aimed to establish a “safe zone” extending 30 kilometers deep along the border.
Following a Russian-mediated agreement in 2019, Syrian government forces have deployed along parts of the northern border area, in exchange for Turkey halting an offensive it had launched.
