Following the SNA capture of Manbij city on 11 December, a temporary ceasefire agreement in the region was reached between the SNA and SDF through U.S. mediation.[7] However, military activities did not cease, which eventually resulted in fighting in the Kobani countryside. In addition, the SNA refused the evacuation of SDF fighters or civilians from Manbij, executed captured SDF soldiers and attempted offensive operations against the SDF, resulting in fighting near the Tishrin Dam.[8][9] The following week, the SNA stated that they ended the US-brokered ceasefire with the SDF.[10]Turkey stated that the ceasefire did not exist.[11]
The offensive comes around the same time in which several Syrian rebel factions agreed with de-facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa to dissolve their groups and to fall under the country's new Defense ministry. The SDF did not participate in this meeting in Damascus.[12]
Offensive
The Manbij Military Council of the SDF initiated an offensive against the Syrian National Army near the Tishrin Dam on 23 December 2024.[13] The SDF managed to take control over several villages south east of Manbij.[14][15]
The following day, SDF started assaults in two different directions. At the Dayr Hafir front, the SDF advanced from the Jirah Military Airbase along the west bank of the Euphrates where they took control of the Babiri water pumping station, five kilometres south of the town of Al-Khafsah and advanced from the Tishrin Dam into the Abu Qalqal district. Further north, fighting also started around the Qarah Qawzaq bridge.[16] A spokesperson of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) stated that its fighters were located just over 11 kilometers (7 miles) away from the center of Manbij city, which was later confirmed by the SOHR.[17][18] During the clashes with YPJ and MMC at least 12 SNA fighters were killed in the Tishrin Dam area.[3] On 26 December, the SDF spokesperson, Farhad Shami [ar], made a statement at the Tishrin Dam confirming SDF control over the area.[19][20]
