How did the SDF try to disrupt the course of the battle to overthrow Assad? | news

The relationship between the Damascus government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, known as (SDF), is still in a state of tension, and so far the SDF has not handed over the administration of the areas under its control to the new Syrian state, despite the agreement signed with Damascus.

During a television interview broadcast by the official Syrian media on September 12, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa confirmed that there was some kind of obstruction or slowdown in the implementation of the agreement that the government signed with the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, last March, indicating that the SDF does not represent the entire Kurdish component.

But, what did the Syrian Democratic Forces do at the end of last year during the period when the aggression deterrence forces were advancing on the ground and liberating new areas in Syrian regions and cities?

A report by the “Syria Now” platform explains what happened during the battle to deter aggression, which ended with the overthrow of the regime of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Between expansion and decline… How did SDF take advantage of deterring aggression to expand its influence? Bahaa Al-Halabi and Bakr Al-Taha tell you the story pic.twitter.com/4qNb7uKIp0

– SyriaNow – Syria Now (@AJSyriaNow) December 2, 2025

SDF movements in northern Syria

The Syrian arena witnessed attempts by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to expand its influence and exploit the military vacuum in a number of areas during the battle to “deter aggression,” which sparked popular protests and counter-military movements. During the Syrians’ celebrations of the liberation of several areas from the control of the ousted Assad regime, the people of Deir ez-Zor governorate went out in demonstrations rejecting the presence of the SDF.

SDF tried to exploit the military vacuum resulting from the opposition factions’ advance towards the capital, Damascus, and moved from Manbij towards Aleppo International Airport.

The goal of these movements was to create chaos and confuse the forces to deter aggression from the path of overthrowing Assad, but the revolutionary factions quickly intervened and thwarted the plan, and forced the SDF to retreat after losing the Jabal Rifaat area.

Despite this, the SDF retained part of its areas in the city of Aleppo and its eastern countryside.

Temporary expansion in eastern Syria

In the east, SDF took advantage of the sudden withdrawal of Assad regime forces from Deir ez-Zor, and took control of the city and several surrounding villages. This military expansion came two days before the operation to liberate Damascus and the Military Operations Department took control of it.

Two days later, the Syrian Democratic Forces withdrew from most of the areas they had controlled, but maintained their control over 7 important villages in Deir ez-Zor: Hatla, Al-Husseiniyah, Al-Salihiyah, Marat, Mazloum, Khasham, and Tabiya Jazira.

Operation to deter aggression and enter Deir ez-Zor

While the Syrian Democratic Forces remained in Deir ez-Zor, the Aggression Deterrence Forces were stationed on the outskirts of the governorate awaiting orders to enter, and the operation began from the Tadif area, passing through Kuwairis, Khanaser, and Athriya, all the way to Deir ez-Zor. The rebels entered from 3 main axes, while the Syrian Democratic Forces had one outlet via the Euphrates River.

During the withdrawal, SDF deliberately destroyed the dirt bridge and crossings on the western line to hinder the factions’ advance. As for entering Deir ez-Zor Governorate, it was two days late from Damascus, and the city is still outside the factions’ complete control.