Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 23 August 2016: Kurds take control over Hasakah, US-Syrian fighter jet spat

On Thursday, August 23, Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) took control of most strategic locations in Hasakah in North-east Syria from government forces. A ceasefire entered into force on 2PM, local time, allowing the government to leave the city and relocate to military bases in its vicinity. YPG units prevailed despite several days of government air strikes. In one incident, an American special forces unit was almost hit by a bomb, prodding the US Department of Defence to demand a cessation of all aerial military operation in Hasakah region.

The fighting over Hasakah represent the biggest clash between government forces and Kurds since 2013 r. Previously, both sides had been in a state of truce, cooperated against ISIS and Syrian opposition forces and divided the city between themselves. This arrangement allowed Kurds to maintain a wide de facto autonomy, while continuing to receive some government services and funding. The reasons behind the breakdown of the truce are unknown, but the change of balance of power in favour of Kurds and their cooperation with some Arab opposition groups under the umbrella of the Syrian Democratic Forces were probably among the most significant factors.

According to Tuesday’s ceasefire, military units of both sides will withdraw from Hasakah and be replaced by Kurdish Asayish police forces. The fighting suggests that Kurds hold a significant military advantage. The air strikes by Syrian Air Force did not manage to stop YPG’s offensive, but their aim was also to bolster the morale of government forces and signal to Kurds, that further fighting may result in a complete break in cooperation and massive reprisal air strikes, similar to those which targeted Aleppo, Homs and Daraa.

The air strikes, in which American soldiers were nearly hit, were met with a sharp rebuke by the US Department of Defence, which twice sent fighters to ward off Syrian jets and declared it may shoot down any plane threatening anti-ISIS coalition forces on the ground. The Department of Defence spokesman, Peter Cook, stated that ‘the Syrian regime would be wise to avoid areas where coalition forces have been operating’, adding that this warning is also extended to Russian air force. However, Cook clarified that this does not imply the establishment of a no-fly zone.