The2024 Kobani clashes were a military campaign conducted by the pro-TurkishSyrian National Army (SNA) and theTurkish Air Force againstSyrian Democratic Forces (SDF) following the successful2024 Manbij offensive. The offensive was part of the broaderTurkish offensive in northern Syria, and was launched with the intent to capture the Kurdish-majority city ofKobanî and positions inAyn al-Arab District to the east of theEuphrates. The offensive was initiated with numerous airstrikes across the Kobanî countryside, and on theTishrin Dam standing on the Euphrates between recently capturedManbij District territories and theAyn al-Arab District.
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From 8 December 2024, clashes took place on the Qara Qozak Bridge of theM4 Motorway and theTishrin Dam, both criticalEuphrates crossings,[20] with the SDF claiming to have killed dozens of SNA fighters.[11]
Beginning on 9 December, pro-TurkishSyrian National Army (SNA) military forces conducted drone strikes against theTishrin Dam on theEuphrates, resulting in severe damage to itselectrical generation infrastructure. The attack rendered the facility partially inoperative, causing widespreadpower outages across numerous population centers dependent on the dam for electricity. Dam personnel became trapped within the facility due to the surrounding combat operations, prompting urgent appeals from its staff to stop all combat operations at the dam due to its importance as essential civilian infrastructure across the region.[21] On 9 December 11 SDF fighters were also killed in a Turkish drone strike on an SDF position near Qarquzaq bridge east of Manbij.[13]
Kobani,Ayn Issa, Zormixar, Berkel Hill, Miştenûr Hill, and the Qereqozax bridge and nearby positions were bombarded withUAVs on the same day. Three members of SDF's Internal Security fighters were killed in adrone strike on the Qereqozax bridge. Two children were killed by heavy weapons in Kon Eftar village on the outskirts of Kobani.[22][23]
The airstrikes were coupled with ground operations by Turkish-backed factions to take the dam out ofSyrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control and cross intoAyn al-Arab District, which reportedly led to the deaths of dozens of SNA troops and the destruction of several of their vehicles.[24][25]
Also on 11 December, six fighters of the SDF's Manbij Military Council were killed in a Turkish drone strike near Qarquzaq bridge, south of Ayn al-Arab.[1] An elderly woman was killed and her grandson injured after their civilian vehicle was targeted bymachine gun fire while crossing the bridge to return home to Manbij.[26]
On 12 December, theSyrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported thatTurkish Armed Forces and theDawn of Freedom Operations Room initiated violent attacks on the Tishrin Dam using heavy weaponry such as tanks and drones. The SOHR warned that the assaults could potentially trigger adam failure and lead to a significanthumanitarian crisis.[27] The same day, a truce mediated by theUnited States was announced.[28]
On 14 December, diplomatic efforts mediated by the international coalition to establish a ceasefire between Turkish-backed forces and the SDF collapsed.[29] Following the breakdown of negotiations, local sources reported that Turkish and Turkish-backed forces initiated significant military mobilization around strategic locations, particularly near the Qarqozak Bridge and along Kobani's borders along theSyria–Turkey border.[30]
Iraqi and Syrian water experts confirmed the development of cracks in the Tishrin Dam's main wall following continuous military bombardments on the dam, and warned of the increasing possibility of a dam breach should military combat continue in the area. The experts predicted that a breach could produce multiple waves as high as seven meters that could travel into Iraq and destroy several river settlements inAl Anbar Governorate.[31]
In December 2024, the factions supported by Turkey announced they would discontinue the ceasefire with groups supported by the US, such as Syrian Democratic Forces. One news article noted: "The SNA, an umbrella of several armed factions, informed the SDF on Monday that it would be returning to 'a state of combat against us,' one of the sources briefing Al-Monitor said. The sources said negotiations between the SDF and the SNA had 'failed' and that 'significant military buildups' in areas east and west of the Kurdish town of Kobani on the Turkish border were being observed."[32] On 17 December 2024, the truce was extended by a week.[2] On 18 December 2024, Turkish backed groups violated the ceasefire and attempted an incursion into SDF territory, the incursion failed with 21 SNA fighters dying in the clashes, five SNA members were likewise captured.[9][33]
Since the beginning of December, Turkish airstrikes left 20 SDF fighters, 15 former SAA soldiers and 16 civilians killed during Operation Dawn of Freedom.[19]
Furthermore, two Kurdish journalists were killed in a Turkish airstrike on their car in Ain-Al Arab countryside.[16]
On 21 December, five civilians were killed in a Turkish airstrike.[17] Five SDF fighters were killed by Turkish artillery shelling of positions on Tishrin Dam.[14]
On 22 December, two civilians were killed following Turkish artillery shelling of Kobani.[18]
Turkish and SNA attacks on the Kobani countryside and Tishrin Dam continued into 2025 as part of the broaderTurkish offensive in northern Syria. The attacks killed 121 civilians in December 2024 and January 2025.[34][35]
Shami noted, claiming that they have killed more than 450 SNA militants in the last three weeks
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