PKK/YPG terror group loses ground in Syria amid Assad regime's collapse

DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria

The PKK/YPG terror group, which had gained control of some areas in Syria after the intensification of conflicts on Nov. 27, has been pushed back following the liberation of Manbij and areas along the Deir ez-Zor front.

During the violent clashes in Syria on Nov. 27, as forces loyal to the collapsed Baath regime rapidly lost control in the country, the terrorist PKK/YPG expanded its control over many eastern settlements previously abandoned by regime forces.

Following the encirclement of Damascus and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government, tribal forces from Deir ez-Zor, in cooperation with groups that overthrew the regime, began pushing the terrorist PKK/YPG back along the Deir ez-Zor and Euphrates River frontlines.

These forces succeeded in driving the PKK/YPG terrorist organization out of the provincial capital of Deir ez-Zor, as well as the Al-Bukamal and Al-Mayadin districts along the Iraq-Syria border.

The opposition Syrian National Army (SNA) also took control of the city of Manbij, which had been under the terrorist PKK/YPG occupation, as part of Operation Dawn of Freedom.

Meanwhile, the PKK/YPG terror group fired on anti-regime protesters in the Raqqa province, injuring four people.

Iraq-Syria border crossing

The region extending from Deir ez-Zor's city center to Al-Bukamal, near the Syria-Iraq border, had seen heavy presence from Iran-backed groups.

While almost all land east of the Euphrates River in Deir ez-Zor was under the terrorist PKK/YPG control, the provincial capital and other rural areas were held by the fallen Assad regime and Iran-backed groups.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards maintained a supply corridor through Iraq into Syria, with access to Deir ez-Zor's center via Al-Bukamal, facilitating Iran’s reach into Syria’s interior.

Recent developments in Syria

On Nov. 27, clashes intensified between anti-regime armed groups and Bashar al-Assad's forces.

From Nov. 30 to Dec. 7, these groups gained control in major cities, including Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, and Homs.

On Dec. 7, as the groups entered Damascus, they received support from large crowds of civilians, leading to the complete collapse of the regime, which lost control of the capital and several other regions.

The 61-year rule of the Baath Party ended, and Assad fled the capital.

In December, the Syrian National Army's Operation Dawn of Freedom began, and on its first day, they liberated the town of Tel Rifaat from the terrorist PKK/YPG control.

With the liberation of Manbij, the largest terrorist stronghold west of the Euphrates River was cleared of the terror group.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul