Syrian National Army launches operation against PKK/YPG terrorist group in N. Syria

The Syrian National Army (SNA) has launched “Operation Dawn of Freedom” to counter the PKK/YPG terrorist group’s plan to establish a terror corridor linking Tel Rifaat to northeastern Syria, security sources said.

Renewed tensions in northern Syria

Tensions in northern Syria escalated after anti-regime armed groups recently captured Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city.

The swift opposition advance caused Syrian regime forces to lose significant territory, prompting the regime to seek support from the PKK/YPG terrorist organization.

The regime began transferring control of its territories east of the Euphrates to the PKK/YPG. In response, large numbers of PKK/YPG terrorists and heavy weaponry were moved from the eastern Euphrates region to Aleppo.

The PKK/YPG attempted to capitalize on this situation by creating a corridor between Tel Rifaat and northeastern Syria. However, the SNA thwarted this plan by launching an operation to cut off the critical route between Raqqa and Aleppo.

‘Operation dawn of freedom’

Recognizing the PKK/YPG’s maneuvers amid the regime’s territorial losses, the SNA quickly launched “Operation Dawn of Freedom” and disrupted the group’s efforts.

By blocking the connection between Tel Rifaat and northeastern Syria, the SNA effectively halted the PKK/YPG’s plan to establish a terror corridor.

Background on Tel Rifaat

The PKK/YPG terrorist organization, with air support from Russia, seized control of Tel Rifaat and surrounding areas in February 2016, displacing nearly 250,000 civilians. Many of those displaced sought refuge near the Turkish border.

From its stronghold in Tel Rifaat, the PKK/YPG launched attacks on settlements in regions secured by Türkiye’s Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch, as well as on positions held by Turkish security forces and opposition fighters.

The PKK/YPG maintained control of Tel Rifaat by collaborating with the Assad regime and its allies.

However, with the advance of opposition groups into Aleppo, regime forces have since withdrawn from Tel Rifaat.

Recent events on operation dawn of freedom

During Operation Dawn of Freedom, the Syrian National Army captured Kuweires Military Airport in Aleppo and cut the PKK/YPG terror group’s Tel Rifaat-Manbij logistics line.

In its Operation Dawn of Freedom against the PKK-YPG terror group, the Syrian National Army liberates three villages in Tel Rifaat.

As part of the operation, the SNA has captured Tel Rifat’s villages of Shagoreet, Tebnah, Al-Malikiyah, Kafr Kalbin, Kafr Naya, Miskan, Al-Ghuz, Tatmuras, Tal Anab, Mazraat Hamad, Zouyan, Maaranaz, and Zouyan Hill.

Clashes between SNA forces and terrorists, who have entrenched themselves in Tel Rifat, continue on the northwest, northeast, east, and south fronts of the region.

Syrian National Army liberates Minnigh Airbase in Tel Rifat from terrorists as part of Operation Dawn of Freedom, launched to block PKK/YPG’s Tel Rifat-Manbij corridor.