HASAKA, Syria - Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters in Hasaka are keeping their weapons ready despite a 15-day ceasefire extension with the Syrian Arab Army, underscoring the fragile calm along the frontlines.
The truce, extended on Saturday, aims to facilitate the transfer of Islamic State (ISIS) detainees from SDF-controlled prisons in Syria to Iraq, following a short four-day ceasefire announced last week.
SDF fighters have maintained full readiness across all five Hasaka frontlines amid sporadic attacks by groups affiliated with the Syrian Arab Army during the initial days of the truce.
“It is now a ceasefire, but during those four days of the truce, they attacked twice. We are constantly maintaining our readiness,” Jan Sher Mohammed, an SDF officer in Hasaka, told Rudaw's Bakhtiyar Qadir on Sunday.
“Whether there is a ceasefire or not, the SDF fighters and our people are ready for any attack. We are defending ourselves and taking our precautions because we do not trust the gangs among them. We don't know when they will attack in disguise of a ceasefire. Therefore, we are taking our precautions,” Mohammed added.
All war frontlines have been fortified into defensive positions by the SDF fighters, with paths for advancement blocked to ensure preparedness against any sudden assault.
The ceasefire has also offered temporary relief for civilians displaced by recent military operations.