For information regarding security trends in the Kurdish-controlled areas prior to November 2024, see sections 2.2., 2.7., 2.8. and 2.9. of the EUAA COI Report Syria – Security Situation (October 2024).
The SDF control a large swath of territory in northeastern Syria that accounts for almost one-third of the country’s overall area.725 These territories comprised about 70 percent of Syria’s oil and gas fields.726 As of February and March 2025, the territories controlled, occupied, or seized by the SDF encompassed most of Hasaka, approximately half of Raqqa (including Raqqa city), and the portions of Deir Ez-Zor and Aleppo that are located east of the Euphrates River, as well as a narrow salient on Aleppo’s western Euphrates bank,727 situated south of Lake Assad and near the Tishreen Dam.728 According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and the Critical Threats Project (CTP) some small areas west of the Euphrates, located south of Al-Bab and Manbij, were contested between the SDF and the SNA.729 At least in the immediate aftermath of the takeover of Aleppo city by the armed opposition, the SDF remained in control of the city’s two Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud.730
On 6 December 2024, the former Assad government withdrew from Deir Ez-Zor city and its environs and the SDF advanced into these areas, seeking to fill this vacuum.731 As Assad’s troops started to hand over territory to the SDF,732 the SNA, launching its own Operation Dawn of Freedom733 in northern and eastern rural Aleppo,734 expelled the Kurdish forces from key points on the western bank,735 seizing Tall Rifaat736 and the strategic city of Manbij on 10 December 2024.737 However, the SDF made some territorial gains in eastern rural Aleppo in late December 2024738 and by January 2025 was again sending units deep into former Assad areas in Deir Ez-Zor, Raqqa and Aleppo.739
As of late February 2025, Turkish forces/the SNA and the SDF continued to engage in heavy fighting in northern Syria near the Qara Qozak Bridge and the Tishreen Dam,740 with ISW and CTP suggesting that Türkiye was possibly attempting to cut the SDF’s supply lines to the dam, located on the eastern Euphrates bank in Aleppo governorate.741 For more information on the clashes in northern Syria, see section 4.2 of this report. Moreover, during the reference period, Türkiye has been shelling SDF sites throughout northeastern Syria.742 As of January 2025, it was noted that the SDF, weakened by its loss of territory and retreat east of the Euphrates,743 was facing an existential threat744 as it fought to safeguard its autonomous territory.745 At the same time, the reference period saw forces of the US-led Global Coalition intensifying military patrols746 and bringing in military equipment to reinforce its bases.747 For more information on the reinforcement of coalition bases in the region, see section 3.4. of this report.
While the conflict between the SDF and the SNA remained central in northeastern Syria,748 SDF has been facing dissent from some Arab tribal factions in Deir E-Zor749 and these long-standing conflicts also continued during the reference period.750 Armed men linked to Sheikh Ibrahim al-Hafel,751 a tribal leader known for mobilising tribes in Deir Ez-Zor against the SDF,752 attacked security headquarters and patrolling SDF troops. In January 2025, several civilians were injured as the SDF shot at young men in the aftermath of a series of such attacks,753 while dozens of suspected Assad loyalists, National Defence Forces (NDF) militiamen and Sheikh Ibrahim al-Hafel supporters were arrested in a sweeping security campaign in the Deir Ez-Zor countryside.754
SDF-controlled areas witnessed civilians being killed or injured in a variety of incidents, including assassinations,755 tribal756 and family disputes,757 multiple attacks by Turkish forces,758 SDF members shooting at protesters,759 and (alleged) ISIL attacks.760 Dozens of civilians were killed or injured in multiple Turkish drone strikes allegedly launched against civilian targets in the vicinity of the Tishreen Dam (eastern Aleppo).761
ISIL cells conducted attacks on SDF positions and military patrols in northeastern Syria, causing a number of casualties among SDF troops.762 SOHR recorded 27 ISIL operations in November 2024 (including 22 in Deir Ez-Zor and 3 in Hasaka) and a further 13 ISIL operations during the first three weeks of January 2025 in the SDF-controlled areas (10 in Deir Ez-Zor and 3 in Hasaka). ISIL attacks resulted in a number of deaths or injuries among civilians763 and members of Kurdish security forces.764 In early February 2025, following large-scale aerial operations against ISIL across Syria in December 2024, the US-led coalition and the SDF launched a new campaign against the group in southern areas of Hasaka, killing two ISIL operatives.765
According to ACLED data, the areas under the control of SDF/disputed most affected by security incidents (battles, explosions/remote violence, violence against civilians) during the reference period were Deir Ez-Zor (258 incidents) and Hasaka districts (229 incidents), amounting to around 56 % and 57 % of all security incidents recorded in Deir Ez-Zor and Hasaka governorate, respectively.766
In March 2025, SDF leaders signed an agreement to integrate their armed forces and civilian institutions into the new Syrian government. The deal mandates a full cessation of hostilities and requires the SDF to relinquish control of border posts, the airport, and key oil and gas fields.767
- 725
Al Jazeera, What is behind US strategy of keeping troops in post-Assad Syria?, 6 January 2025, url
- 726
Al Jazeera, What is behind US strategy of keeping troops in post-Assad Syria?, 6 January 2025, url
- 727
ISW and CTP, Interactive Map: Assessed Control of Terrain in Syria [Map], last updated 3 March 2025, url; Carter Center (The), Exploring Historical Control in Syria [Map], n.d., url. Set filters to January 2025.
- 728
ISW and CTP, Iran Update, January 7, 2025, 7 January 2025, url, p. 2
- 729
ISW and CTP, Interactive Map: Assessed Control of Terrain in Syria [Map], last updated 3 March 2025, url
- 730
Syria Report (The), HTS Takes Over Aleppo While Making Advances Towards Hama (Open access), 4 December 2024, url
- 731
MEE, Assad forces withdraw in Daraa and Deir Ezzor as Syrian rebels advance on Homs, 6 December 2024, url
- 732
Özkizilcik, Ö., What does Turkey gain from the rebel offensive in Syria?, Atlantic Council, 5 December 2024, url
- 733
ACLED, Regional Overview Middle East November 2024, 6 December 2024, url; Levant 24, SNA Launches ‘Dawn of Freedom’ Operation, 30 November 2024, url; NPA, SNA announces launch of “Dawn of Freedom” offensive in Aleppo, 30 November 2024, url
- 734
L24, SNA Launches ‘Dawn of Freedom’ Operation, 30 November 2024, url
- 735
INSS, A New Era in Syria: Winners, Losers, and Implications for Israel, 12 January 2025, url
- 736
Syria Report (The), HTS Takes Over Aleppo While Making Advances Towards Hama (Open access), 4 December 2024, url; NPA, SNA announces full control over Tel Rifaat town in Aleppo, 1 December 2024, url
- 737
Etana, Syria Update #9: 10 December 2024, 10 December 2024, url
- 738
SOHR, Military escalation | “SDF” advances and takes control over four villages in Manbij as Turkish-backed factions shell Kobani villages, 23 December 2024, url
- 739
Waters, G., ISIS Redux: The Central Syria Insurgency, Special Edition, 27 January 2025, url
- 740
ISW and CTP, Iran Update, February 26, 2025, 26 February 2025, url, p. 5; SOHR, Amid Turkish artillery fire and clashes on different frontlines | SDF foil attack and shoot down kamikaze drone in Aleppo countryside, 23 February 2025, url; Guardian (The), ‘We are part of Syria’: Kurdish-led SDF fights for place in post-Assad future, 21 February 2025, url; Etana, Syria Update #19: 22 February 2025, 20 February 2025, url; UNOCHA, Syrian Arab Republic Humanitarian Situation Report No. 1 (As of 12 February 2025), 12 February 2025, url, p. 2; ISW and CTP, Iran Update, January 6, 2025, 6 January 2025, url, p. 3
- 741
ISW and CTP, Iran Update, January 7, 2025, 7 January 2025, url, p. 2
- 742
ISW and CTP, Iran Update, January 6, 2025, 6 January 2025, url, p. 4
- 743
Coşkun, A., Türkiye Has a Wish List in Syria. It Should Tread Lightly. [Commentary], Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 19 December 2024, url
- 744
Ciddi, S., Turkey Is Preparing to Invade Syria, Then Israel?, FDD, 8 January 2025, url; Etana, Syria Update #10: 12 December, 12 December 2024, url
- 745
Ciddi, S., Turkey Is Preparing to Invade Syria, Then Israel?, FDD, 8 January 2025, url
- 746
SOHR, Deir Ezzor | US patrol roams in villages on eastern countryside, 23 December 2024, url
- 747
SOHR, Boosting military bases | Three cargo planes lands in Coalition base in Al-Shaddadi, 16 January 2025, url; SOHR, New reinforcements | “International Coalition” Forces bring military materials to Deir Ezzor and bases in Al-Hasakah, 22 December 2024, url
- 748
Etana, Syria Update #16: 3 February, 1 February 2025, url
- 749
USDOD, Operation Inherent Resolve And Other U.S. Government Activities Related to Iraq & Syria: Lead Inspector General Report to the United States Congress October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024, 19 February 2025, url, p. 26
- 750
Etana, Syria Update #16: 3 February, 1 February 2025, url
- 751
SOHR, Deir Ezzor | Civilians injured in gunfire by SDF near Suwaydan crossing in eastern countryside, 24 January 2025, url
- 752
Al-Modon, Sheikh Ibrahim al-Hafel's Recent Appearance in Damascus Sparks Speculation About Tribal Movement's Ties to the Syrian Regime, The Syrian Observer, 13 February 2024, url
- 753
SOHR, Deir Ezzor | Civilians injured in gunfire by SDF near Suwaydan crossing in eastern countryside, 24 January 2025, url
- 754
SOHR, Large-scale security campaign | Tens of regime affiliates and gunmen affiliate with “Al-Hafal” arrested in Deir Ezzor countryside, 23 January 2025, url
- 755
SOHR, Ongoing security chaos | Civilian killed in eastern Deir Ezzor, 16 January 2025, url
- 756
SOHR, Including two women | Tribal infighting erupt in western Al-Raqqah, leaving three persons dead, 20 January 2025, url
- 757
SOHR, Deir Ezzor | Civilian killed in family disputes and clashes in SDF-held areas, 21 January 2025, url; SOHR, Deir Ezzor | Civilian killed in infighting between cousins in eastern countryside, 4 January 2025, url
- 758
See, for example: SOHR, Ongoing military escalation | Turkish drone attacks village in Al-Qamishly countryside, 20 January 2025, url; SOHR, Military escalation | Three children injured and a civilian convoy attacked, 17 January 2025, url; SOHR, New attack | Three civilians killed and injured by Turkish drone in Al-Hasakah, 12 January 2025, url; SOHR, Military escalation | Woman and her daughter killed under direct shelling on houses of civilians in Ain Al-Arab (Kobani), 22 December 2024, url; SOHR, Dramatic escalation | 52 people killed in attacks by Turkish drones in NE Syria since early December, 13 December 2024, url
- 759
Etana, Syria Update #10: 12 December, 12 December 2024, url
- 760
SOHR, SDF-held areas in November 2024 | 43 fatalities in acts of violence…nearly ten infightings and murder crimes…deteriorating security situation, 4 December 2024, url; NPA, Unknown gunmen kill 2 civilians in Deir ez-Zor, 10 December 2024, url
- 761
International Crisis Group, Crisis Watch – Syria: November 2024 – February 2025, n.d., url; SOHR, New attack | Nearly 25 civilians injured and killed under Turkish shelling near Teshrin Dam, 22 January 2025, url; SOHR, Death toll update | Three civilians die affected by their injuries, bringing the number of deaths due to Turkish airstrikes on Teshreen dam to six, including woman, 19 January 2025, url; New Arab (The), Five killed in fighting around Syria's Tishreen dam as Germany calls for Russian withdrawal, 17 January 2025, url; SOHR, Death toll update | Five civilians killed and nearly 40 others injured in Turkish airstrikes near Teshreen dam, 16 January 2025, url; SOHR, Military escalation | Five civilians including a woman killed in Turkish airstrike targeting public convoy near Teshrin Dam, 8 January 2025, url
- 762
Etana, Syria Update #16: 3 February, 1 February 2025, url; SOHR, IED attack | ISIS members attack military vehicle of Self-Defence in Deir Ezzor countryside, 2 February 2025, url; Etana, Syria Update #15: 28 January, 24 January 2025, url
- 763
SOHR, ISIS in November 2024 | Ongoing escalation with 27 attacks in SDF-controlled areas and nearly 20 combatants killed in attacks in Syrian desert, 29 November 2024, url
- 764
Etana, Syria Update #19: 22 February 2025, 20 February 2025, url; Etana, Syria Update #15: 28 January, 24 January 2025, url; SOHR, New attack | ISIS members open fire on SDF military vehicle in Deir Ezzor countryside, injuring several fighters, 12 January 2025, url; SOHR, New attack | Two members of “Al-Asayish” injures by ISIS cells in Al-Hasakah, 22 December 2024, url; SOHR, Al-Raqqa | Member of “Al-Asayish” killed and others injured in an attack by ISIS cells on checkpoint of Internal Security Forces, 17 December 2024, url; SOHR, New attack | ISIS cells kill member of “SDF” in Deir Ezzor, 17 December 2024, url
- 765
International Crisis Group, Crisis Watch – Syria: November 2024 – February 2025, n.d., url
- 766
ACLED, Curated Data Files, Middle East (28 February 2025), url
- 767
BBC News, Kurdish-led SDF agrees to integrate with Syrian government forces, 11 March 2025, url