Syrian state-run al-Ikhbariya TV reported on Wednesday, September 3, that the Syrian army repelled an attempted infiltration by fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) across the Euphrates River in the al-Mughleh area of eastern Raqqa countryside, leaving several SDF members dead or wounded.
This comes a day after Internal Security Forces in Damascus countryside announced on Tuesday that they had ambushed and seized a shipment of weapons and ammunition bound for SDF-held areas.
The SDF has not commented on either incident through its official channels at the time of publication.
The Syrian army had previously announced on September 1 that it repelled an SDF group attempting to infiltrate army positions in the village of Tel Maaz, eastern Aleppo countryside.
A military source told the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that SDF units stationed in the village of Umm Tina and the city of Deir Hafer in Aleppo countryside targeted army positions in Tel Maaz in an effort to extract their fighters trapped in the ambush.
The source explained that the initial clash involved light weapons, but as SDF shelling continued, the army responded with heavy weapons and sent reinforcements to Tel Maaz.
The SDF denied any clashes with the Syrian army in Tel Maaz, saying in a statement on August 31 via its Facebook page that “these claims are entirely fabricated and nothing more than media deception.” It stressed that its forces had not carried out any attack or engaged in clashes in recent days.
Weapons shipment seized
The Syrian Interior Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that internal security in Damascus countryside carried out an ambush in which they seized and confiscated a shipment of weapons and ammunition that included RPG launchers, medium, and light arms. The shipment was reportedly prepared for smuggling into SDF-controlled areas, and the driver was arrested.
The ministry added that “the competent authorities have begun investigations to identify all those involved, in preparation for referring them to court and taking legal action.” It affirmed the readiness of security agencies “to confront attempts to destabilize security and to continue working to protect citizens and preserve state sovereignty.”
Calm had prevailed for a period in areas bordering SDF-held territory following the March 10 agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF, before tensions recently resurfaced.
During the March 10 meeting between Transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, both sides agreed to guarantee all Syrians’ rights to representation and participation in the political process and state institutions on the basis of merit, regardless of religious or ethnic background.
The agreement included a nationwide ceasefire and the integration of civilian and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the Syrian state, including border crossings and oil and gas fields.
Implementation of the agreement has stalled, though meetings between the two sides continue in pursuit of a political resolution. International efforts are also underway to finalize the deal and integrate the SDF into the Syrian government structure.
Both sides have reiterated their commitment to the political track, avoiding military escalation despite differing demands in their final form. They continue to emphasize negotiation, dialogue, and understanding as essential to ensuring rights and implementing the agreement.