cross-posted from: hexbear.net/post/7371951
cross-posted from: news.abolish.capital/post/20772
Both sides accuse the other of violating an agreement for a negotiated withdrawal of Kurdish forces from the strategic town of Deir Hafer
The Syrian government and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) engaged in fierce fighting on 17 January in the Raqqa and Tabqa regions of northern Syria, despite an agreement for an SDF withdrawal from towns in the Aleppo countryside east of the Euphrates River.
“Heavy clashes are continuing between our forces and Damascus factions that violated the recent agreements and betrayed our forces while withdrawal terms were being implemented,” a statement issued by the SDF media center said.
According to the statement, the fighting was taking place along the Dabsi-Afnan axis, near the city of Al-Rasafa, and in the western Raqqa countryside.
“Our forces are engaged in fierce and courageous fighting, continuing to repel treacherous attacks while reinforcing defensive lines and maintaining full combat readiness,” the statement added.
The Syrian Ministry of Defense published several maps identifying specific locations in Raqqa and Tabqa, urging residents to keep away from these areas in preparation for a government assault.
The ministry “warned civilians to avoid sites being used by PKK militias and remnants of the defunct regime, described as allies of the SDF organization, as bases for launching terrorist operations against Syrians and their army,” state media SANA said.
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