There’s optimism and equal parts worry in small Yazidi villages in northern Syria, after the fall of the Assad regime. Turkish-backed forces have taken nearly all the areas west of the Euphrates river from U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters, and finding a vast network of tunnels.

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Middle East Conflict

After the fall of the Assad regime, the conflict in northern Syria remains tense as Turkish-backed forces, known as the Syrian National Army, and U.S.-supported Kurdish fighters, labeled the Syrian Democratic Forces, continue to clash. These factions are employing drones in the ongoing battles near the Tishreen Dam. The Turkish-backed fighters have made notable advances, seizing most areas west of the Euphrates River from Kurdish control. The operations have been spearheaded by groups led by former Assad-era intelligence officer Saif Polat, also known as Abu Bakr.

Polat, who defected to join the opposition, is leading efforts to clear Kurdish fighters and aims to remove the PKK entirely from Syrian territory. His forces have discovered an extensive network of tunnels near Manbij, which were crucial points for Kurdish operations. The tunnels stretch for kilometers underground and connect various locations in the northern region.

The conflict has significant implications for the Yazidi communities residing in the region, who have experienced decades of unrest and are now hopeful for a future that promises freedom and democracy. Rashid Zendo, a resident from the Yazidi village, recounts the fear they faced under Assad's regime and the PKK militias. Meanwhile, the broader region continues to experience competition between U.S. and Turkish-backed forces.



Hope and concern in northern Syria as fighting rages on

A drone targets an administrative building near northern Syria's Tishreen Dam. These are being operated by Turkish-linked fighters called the Syrian National Army. On the other side are U.S.-linked Kurdish fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces. They too are operating drones. These two sides have continued to fight here in northern Syria despite the fall of the Assad government in Damascus. And for the first time since the uprising began in 2011, the Turkish-backed fighters have taken nearly all of the areas west of the Euphrates River. Saif Polat, nicknamed Abu Bakr, used to be an intelligence officer during Bashar al-Assad's regime, but defected to the opposition once the uprising began. He now leads a fighting force which spearheaded recent operations in Kurdish-held Tal Rafat and Manbij. The brigade he leads aims to clear Kurdish fighters all the way to the Iraqi border. There will be no ceasefire until every PKK member is completely removed from Syrian territory. We are not fighting on behalf of anyone else. Our mission is to eradicate terrorism from Syrian soil. The Turkish-backed fighters found an underground city near Manbij. Some of these tunnels are seven meters high and run for dozens of kilometers and connect with other tunnel networks. This network of tunnels continues in either direction for a few kilometers, according to these fighters. They've gone through and cleared these tunnels. They say Manbij was an important stronghold for the Kurdish forces. Many in Manbij accuse the former regime and PKK fighters of fostering hate and division amongst the diverse communities here, which have lived in peaceful coexistence for generations. And that's still the case from Jarabulus to Afrin. In 22 tranquil villages, Syrian Yazidis have raised generations. Unlike the persecuted minority in Iraq, not many outside Syria know about these villages, some of which are more than a hundred years old. Sixty-two-year-old Rashid Zendo says he's lived in fear for much of the last few decades. His only son had to flee the country and make a dangerous journey to Europe to escape Assad army's orders to fight the opposition. He hopes those days are gone now. Our lives have changed under the Syrian regime and the PKK militias. Our living conditions are different. I think we are now heading towards freedom and democracy. And that unity is crucial for peace in northern Syria, where U.S. and Turkish-backed fighters are still competing for control. Osama Bin Javid, Al Jazeera, Manbij, northern Syria.

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Middle East Conflict