‘Christians… Other Minorities Will Be Slaughtered’: Syria on the Brink of Civil Collapse
- NORTHEAST SYRIA — A new war simmers in Syria as Turkish-backed forces and Kurdish units clash near the Euphrates River, exacerbating sectarian tensions in the south.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the transitional authorities face significant challenges and could collapse within weeks,perhaps leading to a full-scale civil war.
- Recent fighting centered around the Tishreen Dam, a contested site between Turkish-backed forces, HTS, and Kurdish fighters.
Amidst escalating tensions, Syria teeters on the brink of a potential full-scale civil war, as Turkish-backed forces clash with Kurdish units near the Euphrates River. Dave Eubank of the Free Burma Rangers warns of impending slaughter for Christians and other minorities should international support wane. The U.S. troop reduction fuels Kurdish distrust, as the current regime struggles to maintain control. Recent reports unveil relentless airstrikes and fighters fortifying cities against Turkish attacks, highlighting the dire situation. The primary_keyword is “Syria civil war,” while the secondary_keyword is “Kurdish distrust.” News Directory 3 reports on a conflict that is further destabilizing the region. With sectarian tensions rising and the future uncertain, discover what’s next for the diverse communities caught in the crossfire.
Syria Civil War Fears Grow Amid Turkish Attacks, Kurdish Distrust
NORTHEAST SYRIA — A new war simmers in Syria as Turkish-backed forces and Kurdish units clash near the Euphrates River, exacerbating sectarian tensions in the south. The instability occurs as the current regime struggles for control, raising fears of a wider conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the transitional authorities face significant challenges and could collapse within weeks,perhaps leading to a full-scale civil war. The escalating violence threatens to destabilize the region further.
Recent fighting centered around the Tishreen Dam, a contested site between Turkish-backed forces, HTS, and Kurdish fighters. While a ceasefire is in place, Kurdish forces maintain control of the dam, but they report continued violations by Turkish forces through daily drone strikes and artillery shelling.
Mohammad Ahmed, with the Free Burma Rangers, reported relentless airstrikes, saying, “Daytime and nighttime… we hear the airstrikes destroyed all this building. They never stop.”
In response to ongoing attacks, the Syrian Democratic Forces are reinforcing cities by constructing tunnels, barriers, and camouflaged routes to evade drone strikes. Fighters are adapting to urban combat by creating passages between buildings to avoid street exposure. Extensive tunnel networks have also been discovered beneath Kobani and the surrounding area.
Aram Hanna, president of the Syriac Military Council, asserted his group’s determination to resist both terrorists and tyrants. ”HTS and the Assad regime, and even the FSA and SNA—they attacked us by airplanes or by air attacks. And the Turks are doing the same. There’s no difference. We won’t accept to let our guns down now… it’s unfeasible for us,” Hanna said.
The Kurds, who lost over 12,000 fighters in the fight against ISIS, express disillusionment, viewing the current transitional government as reminiscent of the caliphate they helped defeat.
Kurdish civilian Samira voiced her concerns: “I can’t believe them because they, before, now ISIS when us support the new government. For me, it’s so surprise why they do that.”
Hanna emphasized the need for inclusivity: “We’ll stay fighting until we have a real plan that contain us all—as the Syrians, Christian Syrians, Syriac Syrians, Armenian Syrians, Kurdish Syrians—and all of us. It’s our country.”
The Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian organization active in Syria since 2016, underscore the critical need for continued U.S. support to avert widespread bloodshed.
Dave Eubank, founder of the Free burma Rangers, highlighted the vulnerability of the Syrian Democratic Forces: “The Euphrates River is the westernmost frontline for (Syrian)Democratic Forces and they’re holding that very tenuously. Without international support… just because of Turkish air power alone, the Syrian National Army will push the Kurds out, wich means the Kurds, the Christians, the Yazidis, other minorities will be slaughtered.”
As the U.S.reduces it’s troop presence, Kurds in northeast Syria are increasingly wary of the new regime.
Eubank noted the importance of a continued U.S. presence: “Everyone is grateful and hopeful the U.S. will stay… United States cannot solve the problem hear,nor should it,but our presence has and continues to create a space for people to solve these problems.”
What’s next
the future of northeast Syria hinges on the ability of various ethnic and religious groups to find common ground and the willingness of international actors to provide support and stability in the face of ongoing Turkish military actions and the threat of renewed civil war.