Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Women's Protection Units (YPJ) have issued a stark warning following the collapse of an internationally-brokered ceasefire agreement, threatening to employ "new tactics" if attacks by Damascus-aligned forces continue. The escalation comes after Syrian government troops violated a withdrawal agreement by attacking Kurdish positions in the Raqqa countryside, resulting in casualties among SDF fighters.
According to ANF News Agency, the SDF and YPJ stated in their announcement that their forces have responded to attacks by Damascus-affiliated groups within the framework of legitimate self-defense, pushing back the assaults. "If these attacks do not stop and continue, we as YPJ forces will respond with modern tactics and performance to protect all gains of the humanity revolution," the statement warned, emphasizing that all forces remain positioned with determination to halt further aggression.
The ceasefire agreement, mediated by international powers, stipulated that SDF and YPJ forces would withdraw from Deir Hafer and Maskana within 48 hours. However, the agreement was violated early Saturday morning before Kurdish forces completed their withdrawal. Syrian government forces deployed military convoys, heavy weaponry, and tanks into the cities, launching attacks on Kurdish fighters in the Dibsi Afan area west of Raqqa.
The SDF Press Center condemned the assault as a "treacherous attack" and a clear violation of internationally-mediated agreements. "As a result, a group of our fighters were martyred," the statement confirmed, holding Damascus-aligned groups responsible for the escalation. The Kurdish forces also called on international backing powers to intervene immediately, urging them to halt the violations and prevent further deterioration of the situation.
Syrian government troops entered Deir Hafer on January 17 after the SDF withdrawal, with both sides trading accusations over ceasefire breaches. The Syrian Defense Ministry has accused the SDF of regrouping in the area and deploying Iranian-made drones to attack civilians in Aleppo, allegations the Kurdish forces deny. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that government forces engaged in artillery shelling that killed civilians in densely populated areas.
The clashes represent a continuation of broader tensions between Kurdish-led forces and Syria's transitional government that have intensified since August 2025. YPJ commander Rohilat Afrin previously characterized government operations as part of an "invasion plan" targeting Kurdish-held areas in northeast Syria, suggesting Damascus aims to advance beyond the Euphrates River into the heart of Rojava.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has weighed in on the conflict, warning that Syria may have no option other than using force against the SDF if problems are not resolved through dialogue. As tensions mount, the international community faces growing pressure to enforce the ceasefire and prevent a full-scale military confrontation that could destabilize Syria's fragile post-conflict transition.