Tensions have heightened between Syria’s interim government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) this week, amid indications that Damascus might employ military action against the group, after several days of fatal confrontations in and around Aleppo. The SDF was instrumental in supporting U.S. troops to overcome the Islamic State in Syria.

Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, stated on Thursday that military action by Syria against the SDF appears to be a possibility, while expressing hope that the dispute could be settled through talks.

The comments followed multiple days of fighting between Syrian forces and Kurdish combatants, which forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee and resulted in at least 23 fatalities, according to Reuters.

The warning highlights increasing regional strain as talks to incorporate the SDF into Syria’s national military have hit an impasse, nearly one year after the signing of a U.S.-supported framework accord.

Washington continues to be heavily engaged in efforts to stop the conflict from escalating, with U.S. Central Command facilitating mediation daily on Syrian soil together with allies including France, the U.K., Turkey and Jordan. “CENTCOM is on the ground inside Syria playing an active mediating role every single day,” stated Charles Lister, senior fellow and director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute.

“Essentially, the United States continues to be the SDF’s largest and most crucial supporter, benefactor, source of funding, training and, to some degree, protection,” he noted.

Lister indicated that Washington has already exerted considerable influence, including pressuring SDF commander Mazloum Abdi to sign the March 2025 framework agreement.

“We wouldn’t have seen the March framework agreement if Gen. Mazloum hadn’t essentially been forced onto a helicopter, transported to Damascus, and instructed that he must sign that pact,” he remarked.

In a Wednesday statement, the SDF charged Syrian government troops and Turkey with engaging in what it termed a “dangerous military escalation” throughout various locations, including Deir Hafer, Maskanah and the vicinity of the Tishreen Dam.

The SDF alleged that Syrian government forces conducted assaults employing artillery, mortars and suicide drones, and stated that civilian facilities, such as a post office and bakery, were hit.

The SDF also reported that Turkish Bayraktar drones attacked several SDF sites near Maskanah and Tabqah. Neither Turkey nor the Syrian government had issued public responses to these allegations.

The conflict originates from a collapsed March 2025 pact designed to integrate SDF units into Syria’s Ministry of Defense.

“There’s no doubt that Damascus has been a difficult negotiator,” Lister commented. “That being said, the government has also made substantial concessions.”

Lister maintains that the agreement has stalled due to internal splits within the SDF. “The reason no agreement has been put into effect is quite simply that the SDF is not a unified, coherent organization,” he explained. “There are factions within the SDF who definitely don’t want this deal to be executed.”

He stated that some groups are intentionally postponing implementation. “Their obvious calculation is that the longer they can delay, they anticipate the Syrian transitional government will take action that undermines its international standing,” Lister observed. “It’s simply a tactic of delaying and waiting to see what happens.”

“That strategy is inherently risky,” he warned. “It merely ensures confrontation.”

“During the last two or three days, there have been several assaults on SDF military installations in this frontline region of eastern rural Aleppo,” Lister reported.

“Turkey is ready to re-engage,” he noted. “Whenever Turkey has fully committed against the SDF, the SDF hasn’t had any chance of success.”

In Lister’s view, only top-level pressure could shift the current path.

“The sole factor that will transform this situation is if President Trump publicly declares that this agreement must be concluded and executed swiftly,” he asserted.

“This situation is not under control,” Lister cautioned. “All the evident preparations are being made to turn this into an active combat zone, unless urgent diplomatic efforts draw both parties back from the edge.”

Reuters contributed to this article.