ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper on Saturday called on the Syrian army to stop attacking Kurdish-held positions west of the Euphrates.
The government’s Syrian Arab Army continued to attack the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Saturday despite a US-brokered truce to end fighting in northern Syria. The SDF said it would withdraw fighters from the Aleppo countryside on Saturday as the Syrian military prepared for a major military offensive on SDF positions.
"We welcome ongoing efforts by all parties in Syria to prevent escalation and pursue resolution through dialogue. We also urge Syrian government forces to cease any offensive actions in areas between Aleppo and al-Tabqa," Cooper said in a statement on X.
Recent fighting between the army and the SDF has threatened to undermine the March 2025 agreement to integrate autonomous Kurdish institutions into the central government. The US, which has pressed for unification in Syria, also has significant counterterrorism interests after working with the SDF to territorially defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) in the north.
"Aggressively pursuing ISIS and relentlessly applying military pressure requires teamwork among Syrian partners in coordination with US and coalition forces,” Cooper added. “A Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors is essential to peace and stability across the region."
Earlier on Saturday, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack met in Erbil with Kurdish leaders from the Kurdistan Region and northeast Syria (Rojava), including President Masoud Barzani, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi, and Kurdish National Council (ENKS) leader Mohammed Ismail.
Later, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received Barrack, with discussions focusing on the ongoing clashes in Syria. According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, both sides “agreed that military solutions cannot resolve the conflicts, and that achieving peace and stability requires all parties to turn to dialogue and mutual understanding.”
Amid the clashes, the SDF said in a statement that its forces were engaged in fighting with Syrian army units and affiliated groups in the al-Rasafa area, while reinforcing defensive positions to prevent further advances. It added that clashes were also ongoing near the Thawra oil field in the Tabqa area of Raqqa province.
Earlier, the Syrian Arab Army claimed it had taken control of several oil fields in the SDF-held Tabqa area.
The SDF also said Syrian army forces launched new attacks on its positions in Deir Hafer and surrounding areas in eastern Aleppo province, despite the ceasefire. Under the truce, the SDF had agreed to withdraw fighters from three areas west of the Euphrates, describing the move as a goodwill gesture aimed at preventing further escalation.
However, the Kurdish-led force accused Damascus of violating the ceasefire by launching attacks while its units were preparing to withdraw east of the Euphrates.
Updated at 10:30 pm.