Syria Advance on Kurdish-Held Areas as Washington Urges Restraint
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Syrian government troops advanced into Kurdish-held northern territories, capturing key towns and igniting clashes that threaten a political agreement aimed at national reunification.
- The escalation follows earlier fighting between government forces and the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (S.D.F.), raising concerns of a government push toward Raqqa, a major city under Kurdish control.
- Raqqa, devastated during the fight against ISIS, remains under S.D.F. control with a small U.S. military presence, while Kurdish forces have been reluctant to submit to the new government formed after Assad's fall in December 2024.
- U.S. military and diplomatic officials urged restraint, with Adm. Brad Cooper calling for a halt to offensives near Ale
