SDF Launches Insurgency Against Turkish Forces
March 25th, 2018
March 25th, 2018

How Long Ago?
6 years, 11 months, 18 days ago
Location
Afrin District, Syria
Category
Military & Warfare
War/Conflict
Syrian Civil War
Links & References
- Syrian civil war
- Operation Olive Branch
- Syrian Democratic Forces
- Afrin District
- SDF insurgency in northern Syria
- Turkish occupation of northern Syria
Tags
SDF Launches Insurgency Against Turkish Forces
After the completion of the Afrin offensive, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) initiated an insurgency in the Afrin District in response to the Turkish military presence. The offensive, led by Turkey in early 2018, aimed to remove Kurdish forces from the region. Following the Turkish capture of Afrin, SDF combatants began organized attacks against Turkish troops and allied Syrian factions, marking the start of a new phase in an already complex conflict.
Turkish forces captured Afrin in March 2018.
SDF responded with guerrilla-style insurgency tactics.
Insurgency aimed at reclaiming Kurdish-held territories.
Conflict intensified existing disputes in the Syrian War.
What Happened?
The Afrin offensive was a significant Turkish military operation initiated in January 2018, targeting the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Turkey considers a terrorist organization tied to the PKK. Afrin, located in northwestern Syria near the Turkish border, had been predominantly controlled by the YPG and its allies within the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Turkish operation aimed to establish a buffer zone and prevent the establishment of a Kurdish state along its border. Following successive Turkish advances, including the capture of the city of Afrin in March 2018, the SDF found itself in a precarious position as the Turkish military consolidated power over the district. In retaliation for the occupation and to reclaim control, the SDF began an organized insurgency characterized by guerrilla tactics. Their operations included ambushes, hit-and-run tactics, and targeted strikes against Turkish positions and allied Syrian groups. The insurgency represented not only a push against Turkish control but also showcased the determination of the SDF to resist external influences in Kurdish-held territories. In the following months, conflicts escalated in the region, resulting in a larger humanitarian crisis and exacerbating the strife between various factions within the ongoing Syrian Civil War.
Why Does it Matter?
The insurgency by the Syrian Democratic Forces against Turkish military presence in Afrin marks a pivotal moment in the Syrian conflict, revealing the complexities of regional politics and ethnic dynamics. It underscores the challenges of foreign occupation and resistance, significantly influencing future Kurdish movements and the Syrian Civil War. This event highlighted the international ramifications of the conflict, drawing attention to Turkey's role and impacting regional geopolitics with potential repercussions for U.S.-Turkey relations.
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