ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Monday that factions affiliated with the Damascus government shelled areas near the strategic Tishreen Dam in eastern Aleppo province.
In a statement late Monday, the SDF said that “factions affiliated with the Damascus government are shelling the villages of Haj Hussein and Sheikh Mahshi, in addition to Syriatel Hill in the vicinity of the Tishreen Dam, using artillery and heavy weapons.”
“This constitutes a dangerous escalation, for which the Damascus government bears full responsibility, as it poses a direct threat to the security of the area, the lives of civilians, and vital infrastructure,” the statement said.
The SDF is the de facto army of northeast Syria (Rojava) and the main on-the-ground partner of the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS). The Syrian government joined the coalition in November.
The SDF and Damascus have repeatedly traded accusations of attacks, despite ongoing talks to implement a March agreement to integrate Rojava’s civil and military institutions into those of Damascus.