SDF–Syrian transitional government clashes (2025–present)

SDF–Syrian transitional government clashes
	Part of the Syrian conflict, Eastern Syria insurgency, the aftermath of the fall of the Assad regime
	; Military situation as of 19 February 2026 at 23:58 AST
Date	2 August 2025 – present (7 months, 1 week and 6 days)
Location	Along the internal border between the DAANES and Syrian transitional government, particularly near Dayr Hafir, al-Khafsah, and Deir ez-Zor in Syria
Result	Ongoing Temporary ceasefire SDF withdrawal from Sheikh Maqsood; Offensive in Al-Hasakah, Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, and Raqqa Governorates; Subsequent ceasefire, ceasefire collapses and talks failed; A four-day ceasefire declared in Hasakah by Syria, for integration, ceasefire extended by 15 days after the first ceasefire expired; ;
Belligerents
Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria PKK (claimed by Syrian transitional government and Turkey)	Syrian transitional government; Supported by:; Turkey Arab Tribal and Clan Forces;
Commanders and leaders
Salih Muslim; Mazloum Abdi; Ferhad Şamî; Sipan Hamo; Shorsh Tal Aran; Sozdar Derik; Khalil Qahraman; Alif Muhammad; Axîn Nûcan Bahoz Erdal (claimed by Syrian transitional government and Turkey)	Ahmed al-Sharaa; Murhaf Abu Qasra; Ali Noureddine al-Naasan; Anwar al-Saleh al-Hamoud; Mohammed al-Jassem; Ahmed Rizk; Abu Hatem Shaqra; Motasem Abbas; Asim Hawari; Anas Khattab; Mohammed Abdul Ghani; Fahim Issa; Doghan Suleiman
Units involved
Syrian Democratic Forces People's Protection Units; Women's Protection Units; Military Councils Al-Kasra Military Council; Manbij Military Council; ; Hêzên Komandos; ; Interior Commission Asayish; ; Revolutionary Youth Movement (TCŞ); Afrin Liberation Forces (alleged); PKK (claimed by Syrian transitional government and Turkey)	Syrian Armed Forces Syrian Army 62nd Division; 66th Division; 72nd Division; 76th Division; 80th Division; 86th Division; ; Syrian Air Force; ; Ministry of Interior General Security Service; ; Supported by: Turkish Armed Forces Turkish Air Force (reconnaissance); ; Arab Tribal forces Al-Shaitat (some); Al-Baggara (some); Shammar tribes Al-Sanadid Forces; ; ;
Strength
Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh:; At least 1,000 Asayish	Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh:; At least 80 tanks and armored vehicles (per SDF); Tishrin Dam front:; At least 2,000
Casualties and losses
Per SDF:; 7 killed; 17 injured; 8 injured Per Syrian transitional government:; 1+ killed; 68+ injured	Per Syrian transitional government:; 11–13 killed; 12–14+ injured; 2 vehicles disabled Per SDF:; 15+ killed; 3+ injured; 2 arrested; 7 tanks destroyed; 8 armored vehicles destroyed; 2 vehicles seized; 14 drones downed
	Civilians:; Dozens killed and hundreds injured (SOHR)

Since August 2025, sporadic armed skirmishes have taken place between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the post-Assad Syrian Army, which is mainly composed of anti-Assadist opposition forces originating from the Syrian civil war, along the internal border between the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) and the Syrian transitional government.

Initial clashes in January 2026 were sporadic and limited to exchanges of artillery shelling and small- to medium-arms fire in Dayr Hafir, Manbij, al-Khafsah, Deir ez-Zor, and their surrounding areas; however, heavy fighting and bombardments took place in Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyah during the Aleppo clashes. A comprehensive "ceasefire agreement" was signed on 7 October 2025 between the SDF and the Syrian Army, but clashes later resumed in December 2025 and January 2026 as the Syrian Army declared the neighborhoods "legitimate military targets".

Following the January 2026 northeastern Syria offensive by government forces, up to 80% of the DAANES' territory were captured and ceded to the Syrian government as part of an integration agreement.