The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced Saturday the conclusion of a “security campaign” in the town of Gharanij, Deir Ezzor countryside, claiming they were targeting ISIS cells. According to the group’s media center, 12 suspects were detained and four kidnapped fighters freed.
Local sources, however, reported violations during the operation. Local sources reported at least 18 residents were arrested and homes were set ablaze. Prior to the raids, the SDF imposed a siege on Gharanij and nearby Kishkiya, deploying heavy reinforcements. Similar raids followed in Qamishli’s southern countryside after an attack on an SDF checkpoint, leaving civilians uncertain about who is being targeted.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) documented 36 arbitrary detentions by the SDF in July, including five children, as well as five civilian deaths. The group noted that arrests often exceed releases, suggesting the detentions target critics of SDF policy rather than suspected militants.
March 10 Agreement Faces Strain
Negotiations between Damascus and the SDF remain ongoing despite setbacks. Qutaiba Idlibi, the Foreign Ministry’s official for US affairs, confirmed the cancellation of scheduled Paris talks but said technical committees are moving forward on implementing the March 10 agreement. That deal calls for integrating SDF fighters into the Syrian army and unifying military and civilian structures under state authority.
“The goal is to ensure one army and one state,” Idlibi told Rudaw TV, emphasizing that Damascus rejects a “state within a state” model. He said direct talks between President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi are continuing, with the focus now on “field implementation.”
Government officials, however, voiced frustration at the SDF’s parallel political initiatives. The Hasakah conference in August, organized by the Autonomous Administration (AANES) and its allies, called for a decentralized state and constitutional pluralism. Major Arab tribes boycotted the meeting, accusing the SDF of imposing its agenda. A government source told SANA the gathering “undermined negotiation efforts.”
Damascus Avoids Escalation
The Syrian government has stressed it wants to avoid a new conflict but insists the SDF must meet its commitments. Media adviser Ahmad Zaidan said “all options remain open,” including the possibility of military action if violations persist.
Regional powers are also pressuring the SDF. According to Middle East Eye, US and Turkish officials recently warned Mazloum Abdi that international forces “may not be able to protect” the group if it fails to implement the March 10 agreement within a set deadline.
For now, Damascus continues negotiations while monitoring the situation on the ground. A government source told SANA that stability requires “a unified government and a single national army.” But with continued raids, detentions, and clashes in eastern Syria, the risk of renewed confrontation remains high.
