Clashes break out in Deir az-Zour between Syria government troops, Kurdish-led SDF

Fighting has broken out between Syrian government troops and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the city of Deir az-Zour, amid reports of Syrian armour heading eastwards.

Clashes have also taken place in the east of Deir al-Zour province between the SDF and tribal fighters, The New Arab’s affiliate Syria TV has reported.

Machine guns and mortar fire were reported on Wednesday night and the early hours of Thursday morning on the banks of the Euphrates, on the western edge of Deir al-Zour.

The Syria TV correspondent said the fighting began when SDF fighters positioned on the banks of the Euphrates River attacked a Syrian government position near the Cardiac Hospital in Deir az-Zour, injuring some soldiers as well as local fishermen.

In the town of Gharanij, east of Deir az-Zour, there were also heavy clashes between the SDF and local tribal fighters, which left five people injured.

The fighters reportedly captured four SDF militiamen, according to Syria TV.

The latest incidents follow the killing of a Syrian government soldier by SDF forces near Aleppo on Wednesday.

The eruption of violence between the SDF and Syrian government forces comes amid increasing doubts about a deal signed between the two sides last March, which stipulates the integration of SDF forces into Syria’s army.

The agreement however, provided little detail on how this would take place and there has been increasing tension between the SDF and the Syrian government in recent weeks, exacerbated in part by clashes in Suweida province between government forces and local Druze militia.

Last Tuesday, the Syrian defence ministry said that the SDF must stop targeting government forces and abide by the March agreement, threatening “new consequences” if the Kurdish-led force did not comply.

Last week, a planned meeting in Paris between the SDF and the government in Paris was cancelled after the SDF took part in a meeting with anti-government Druze leader Hikmat al-Hijri.

A meeting went ahead last Tuesday in Damascus, however.

Turkey, which has previously led several military campaigns against the SDF, has weighed in on the crisis.

On Wednesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said during a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani that the SDF and Israel must stop threatening the security and stability of Syria.

He accused the SDF of trying to undermine Syria’s recovery efforts after 14 years of brutal civil war and the overthrow of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Turkey and the Syrian government on Wednesday signed a military cooperation agreement under which Ankara would provide weapons systems, logistical tools and help train the Syrian army.