ASSESSMENTS

In Syria's Northeast, a Microcosm of the Civil War

Aug 20, 2016 | 13:19 GMT

Smoke from oil wells set ablaze by Islamic State forces in 2015 blankets the sky near al-Hasaka in northeastern Syria. Kurdish forces that later captured the territory from the Islamic State have held onto it, spurring clashes with loyalists.

(JOHN MOORE/Getty Images)

Summary

In the northeastern corner of Syria, persistent skirmishes between Kurdish militias and forces loyal to the government in Damascus are a clear example of how isolated pockets of conflict can shape the Syrian civil war. The fighting — the most intense between the two factions since battles in April in Qamishli — puts Damascus in a difficult position. It must defend its key remaining positions in al-Hasaka while avoiding a wider conflict with the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) because of its deep commitment to the battle with rebel forces in Aleppo.

In the northeastern corner of Syria, persistent skirmishes between Kurdish militias and forces loyal to the government in Damascus provide a clear example of how shifting alliances and competing interests in isolated pockets can shape the Syrian Civil War. Despite the Syrian Army High Command's repeated attempts to arrange a cease-fire, battles continue to rage between forces loyal to the Syrian government and Kurdish militias in al-Hasaka province in the northeastern corner of Syria. The fighting -- the most intense between the two factions since battles in April in Qamishli -- puts Damascus in a difficult position. It must ensure the defense of its key remaining positions in al-Hasaka while avoiding a wider conflict with the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), given its deep commitment to the battle with rebel forces in Aleppo....

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