Syrian Forces Advance in North And East of Syria

Syrian government forces seized control of cities and strategic facilities in the north and east of the country on Sunday, most notably the al-Omar oil field, the country’s largest oil field, as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew from their positions.

Early Sunday, the Kurdish-led SDF suddenly withdrew “from all areas under its control in the eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, including the Al-Omar and Tanak oil fields”, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The jailed leader of the Kurdish militant group Abdullah Ocalan said recent deadly clashes in Syria between government forces and Kurdish fighters seek to “sabotage” the peace process between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Meanwhile, France’s President Emmanuel Macron spoke with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa Sunday and expressed concern about the escalation in Syria and the continuation of the offensive carried out by the Syrian authorities. “A permanent ceasefire is necessary, and an agreement must be reached on integrating the (Kurdish-led) SDF into the Syrian state,” he said.

The Kurdish administration accused government forces of attacking their fighters “on multiple fronts” while the army said the SDF was not fulfilling a commitment to “fully withdraw” east of the river.

Syrian state media said two civilians were killed by the SDF in the northern city of Raqa on Sunday, as a monitor reported clashes there.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said clashes between the SDF “and local Arab tribal fighters” were taking place in some neighborhoods. (AFP)