On Saturday, fighting broke out between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and pro-Turkish mercenaries from the militia group ‘Syrian National Army’ (SNA) on the al-Bab front in northern Syria. According to information from security circles, the clashes took place in the southern suburb of Tedef. A security vacuum had previously arisen there due to the withdrawal of government troops, and SDF units subsequently advanced. It was initially unclear whether there were any deaths or injuries as a result of the fighting.

A correspondent for the Hawar News Agency (ANHA) reported that there had been an attempt at a breakthrough at the front line, and that attackers from the so-called SNA had withdrawn in the face of the SDF's response. Russian fighter jets are also reported to have attacked positions held by the jihadists, according to activists from Rojava. A base on a storage site directly next to the city's grain silos was also reportedly hit. The silos were left undamaged, but the SNA base was heavily destroyed.

Al-Bab is located in the governorate of Aleppo, which was previously largely controlled by the regime, and has been occupied by Turkey since February 2017. The Turkish army had previously launched the ‘Euphrates Shield’ offensive in August 2016. Although the Turkish government stated that the ‘operation’ was directed against the presence of the terrorist group ‘Islamic State’ (ISIS) in northern Syria, Turkey's real intention in intervening was to pre-empt the SDF's advance against ISIS, which was already in retreat. The invasion began shortly after the SDF liberated the northern Syrian city of Manbij from ISIS.

Since the surprise attack by the Syrian Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) last Wednesday, large parts of Aleppo have been under jihadist occupation. At the same time, the so-called SNA is preparing to launch an offensive on Tel Rifat, which belongs to the autonomous region of North and East Syria. The SNA was established, equipped and financed by Turkey and is being used as a proxy invasion force in the Turkish-occupied regions of Syria. The terrorist organisation HTS, in turn, rules a protectorate in Idlib province together with Turkey and also ‘controls’ parts of Afrin. Meanwhile, the fighting in Aleppo continues. Russian fighter jets have also carried out further attacks on HTS positions.

The jihadist alliance HTS emerged from the Al-Nusra Front and is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations (UN). Nevertheless, the force is often trivialised in Western media as a ‘rebel group’ and the province of Idlib is glossed over as the ‘last bastion of the armed opposition’.