{"id":2531667,"date":"2026-01-08T18:51:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T23:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-struggles-to-rein-in-syrian-allies-as-kurds-and-government-come-to-blows\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T18:55:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T23:55:56","slug":"us-struggles-to-rein-in-syrian-allies-as-kurds-and-government-come-to-blows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-struggles-to-rein-in-syrian-allies-as-kurds-and-government-come-to-blows\/","title":{"rendered":"US struggles to rein in Syrian allies as Kurds and government come to blows"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fus-struggles-to-rein-in-syrian-allies-as-kurds-and-government-come-to-blows%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2531667&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The United States is struggling to contain a new flare-up of violence in Aleppo, where heavy artillery and ground fighting erupted on Jan. 6 between Syrian government forces and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The clashes &#8211; centered on the Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh &#8211; mark the fiercest fighting yet between Damascus and the Kurds since President Ahmed al Sharaa&#8217;s forces toppled the Assad government in December 2024.Washington,which had previously backed the SDF,shifted support toward the new Damascus government and helped broker a March 10 agreement to reintegrate Kurdish forces into the Syrian state. That deal, signed by SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, recognized Kurds as an indigenous community with political rights while giving Damascus control of oil fields, airports, and border crossings, but it was never fully implemented. U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack publicly urged immediate de\u2011escalation, praised progress on national reconciliation, and warned of external actors seeking to undermine stability. Both sides accuse the other of initiating the violence; government forces say they seized much of Ashrafieh, while Kurdish sources report destroying armored vehicles and inflicting casualties. Sporadic clashes since October and alleged mass killings of Alawite and Druze civilians in 2025 have deepened Kurdish fears, and the current breakout underscores Washington&#8217;s limited ability to keep its former allies from coming to blows.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">US struggles to rein in Syrian allies as Kurds and government come to blows in Aleppo<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2459664\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The United States is facing a crisis as its two allies <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/syria\/\">in Syria<\/a> clash in the war-torn city of Aleppo, the fiercest fighting yet between the Syrian government and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kurds\/\">Kurdish forces<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S.&rsquo;s main ally in Syria during the civil war was the Syrian Democratic Forces, a militia network primarily made up of Kurds. After the forces of now-President Ahmed al Sharaa toppled the Assad government in December 2024 and seized Damascus, the Trump administration threw its weight behind the new government over the Kurds. The U.S. achieved a balance of the two forces, helping to negotiate a deal between the two to integrate Kurdish forces into the Syrian state military in March.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4411812\/petro-rejects-claim-knelt-for-trump-phone-call\/\">Petro rejects claim he &#8216;knelt&#8217; for Trump phone call<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4411679\/venezuela-commits-release-important-number-political-prisoners\/\">Venezuela commits to releasing &#8216;important number&#8217; of political prisoners<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4410930\/time-trump-recognize-somaliland\/\">It&#8217;s time for Trump to recognize Somaliland<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Syrian government soldiers sit on their armoured personnel carrier (APC) following clashes with Kurdish fighters in a contested area of the northern city of Aleppo, Syria, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ghaith Alsayed)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The deal was never implemented, however, escalating into all-out fighting with heavy artillery and ground forces on Jan. 6 in the key city of Aleppo.<\/p>\n<p>In a lengthy <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/USAMBTurkiye\/status\/2009342949436592279?s=20\">statement<\/a> on X, U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack expressed the U.S.&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/neither-state-nor-territory-trump-has-third-option-on-greenland\/\" title=\"Neither State Nor Territory: Trump Has Third Option On Greenland\">grave concern&#038;rdquo<\/a>; about the clashes in the Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh. He urged both sides to &ldquo;exercise the utmost restraint&rdquo; and place the protection of civilian lives and property &ldquo;above all other considerations.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He went on to praise the &ldquo;historic strides toward stability, national reconciliation, and reconstruction following decades of devastating conflict&rdquo; made over the past thirteen months, pointing to discussions opened with Israel as one example. Explaining the clashes, Barrack said the scars of war would take time to heal, and the Trump administration remained hopeful.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Profound transformations of this nature cannot be achieved overnight. The deep scars of prolonged conflict require time to heal, and enduring progress demands patience, tolerance, and genuine mutual understanding across all segments of Syrian society. Nonetheless, we remain steadfast in the vision of a Syria that ensures full inclusion and equal rights for every citizen&mdash;Sunni, Kurd, Druze, Christian, Alawite, and all other communities&mdash;without exception,&rdquo; he wrote.<\/p>\n<p>Barrack voiced hope that the March 10 agreement between Damascus and the SDF could still hold, saying it was &ldquo;eminently achievable.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We therefore issue an urgent appeal to the leadership of the Syrian government, SDF, local authorities in Kurdish-administered areas, and all armed actors on the ground: pause hostilities, reduce tensions immediately, and commit to de-escalation. Let us prioritize the exchange of ideas and constructive proposals over the exchange of fire. The future of Aleppo, and of Syria as a whole, belongs to its people and must be shaped through peaceful means, not violence,&rdquo; Barrack said.<\/p>\n<p>He then cryptically warned both parties to be wary of &ldquo;disruptive external forces and their proxies that seek to undermine the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-lauds-boom-of-manufacturing-at-new-mexico-factory-to-sell-voters-on-bidenomics\/\" title=\"Biden praises manufacturing growth at NM factory to promote Bidenomics.\">remarkable progress achieved<\/a> in the past year and to erode the enduring legacy of @POTUS&rsquo;s Middle East peace initiatives.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Damascus and the SDF both accused each other of firing the first shots, mainly of indiscriminately shelling opposing neighborhoods with heavy artillery. Government troops launched an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/russian-troops-on-the-run-in-eastern-ukraine\/\" title=\"Russian Troops on the Run in Eastern Ukraine\">armored offensive<\/a> on Thursday, with conflicting reports of how the fight proceeded.<\/p>\n<p>Kurdish sources claimed they <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >destroyed numerous armored vehicles<\/a>, including at least one tank, and inflicted more casualties. Government forces reported that they seized the majority of the Ashrafieh neighborhood by the end of Thursday, Al Jazeera reported. Attention is set to shift to Sheikh Maqsoud, where the Kurds are more entrenched.<\/p>\n<p>The SDF has long held control over its district in Aleppo. Under Assad, Ashrafieh was split between the SDF and government, while Sheikh Maqsoud was entirely under their control.<\/p>\n<p>On March 10, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi signed an agreement with al Sharaa, laying the groundwork for the SDF&rsquo;s reintegrating into Syria.<\/p>\n<p>The agreement stipulates that the Kurds are &ldquo;an indigenous community of the Syrian state,&rdquo; bestowing upon them full political and constitutional rights. Damascus will take control of the region&rsquo;s vital oil fields, airports, and manage its border crossings. It further calls for &ldquo;all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria&rdquo; to be integrated into the Syrian state.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3343245\/syria-government-agreement-reintegrate-us-aligned-kurdish-forces\/\">SYRIAN GOVERNMENT SIGNS BREAKTHROUGH AGREEMENT TO REINTEGRATE US-ALIGNED KURDISH FORCES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In this sensitive period, we are working together to ensure a transitional phase that reflects our people&rsquo;s aspirations for justice and stability&#8203;,&rdquo; Abdi said at the time. &ldquo;We are committed to building a better future that guarantees the rights of all Syrians and fulfills their aspirations for peace and dignity. We consider this agreement as a real opportunity to build a new Syria that embraces all its components.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Developments since have largely derailed the plan. The Kurds became even more fearful of losing their rights after government forces massacred minority Alawites and Druze in fighting throughout 2025. Clashes have periodically erupted since October, although the U.S. has been able to plug the holes and maintain the fragile peace. The ongoing breakout in fighting is the most severe yet, and has exposed Washington as unable to fully contain the situation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>US can&#8217;t rein in allies as Aleppo clash grows<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2531668,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26007607532369.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[46280,7887,70426,32405,36408],"class_list":["post-2531667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-kurds","tag-syria","tag-syrian-government","tag-united-states","tag-us-foreign-policy"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26007607532369.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2531667"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531667\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2531671,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531667\/revisions\/2531671"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2531668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2531667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2531667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2531667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}