AANES Declares General Mobilisation Amid Escalating Attacks

PUKMEDIA

AANES logo.

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has declared, on Sunday, a general mobilisation, urging the public to stand alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) amid what it described as escalating attacks on its positions.

In a statement addressed to the public, the AANES said that armed factions affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government in Damascus had violated previously signed agreements and launched coordinated attacks on multiple fronts since yesterday morning. The statement noted that the assaults took place despite continued efforts to pursue peaceful solutions and demonstrate goodwill, including the withdrawal of forces from certain areas.

The administration warned that the continuation of the attacks reflects what it described as Damascus’s insistence on military escalation. It said the offensive aims to undermine coexistence among the diverse communities of North and East Syria, incite discord and violence, target indigenous populations, and impose a single ideological framework at the expense of the region’s social and cultural diversity.

Describing the current phase as critical, the statement said the developments represent an existential threat to the achievements of the revolution and to the societal identity of the region. It called on residents to mobilise and show solidarity in order to defend cities and protect dignity.

The statement also urged broad public support for the general mobilisation declared by the Autonomous Administration and stressed the importance of standing with the SDF and the YPJ. It emphasised that popular resistance remains the primary option for confronting the ongoing attacks.

The administration concluded by calling for unity, vigilance and full preparedness among all segments of society in response to the rapidly evolving situation on the ground.

The declaration of general mobilisation follows a sharp escalation in violence across several parts of northern Syria. On Saturday, 17 January 2026, armed clashes erupted in the areas of Dibsi Afnan, the Thawra oil field and al-Rasafa in the western countryside of Raqqa, involving Syrian government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the fighting occurred at a particularly sensitive moment, coinciding with ongoing redeployment arrangements in the region. Local activists reported exchanges of mortar fire in Dibsi Afnan between forces affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government and the SDF. The clashes reportedly resulted in the deaths of several SDF fighters and one member of forces aligned with the interim government.

The violence came shortly before the SDF withdrew from a number of positions east of Aleppo, a move the group said was carried out in line with internationally brokered agreements. Earlier on Saturday, the SDF accused the Syrian Interim Government of violating those agreements, particularly concerning the towns of Dayr Hafir and Maskanah east of Aleppo.

In a statement, the SDF said the agreement stipulated that Damascus government forces would enter the two towns only after SDF units had completed their withdrawal. However, it said government forces entered the areas prematurely, creating what it described as a highly dangerous situation with the potential for serious consequences. The SDF called on international sponsors of the agreement to intervene urgently to ensure its implementation and prevent further escalation.

SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi said late on Friday that the withdrawal decision was taken following appeals from friendly countries and mediators, and as a demonstration of good faith in implementing the March 10 agreement and advancing the integration process.

International reactions have followed the escalation. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that a unified and stable Syria can only be achieved through the integration of the SDF, not through military confrontation with forces that fought the Islamic State (ISIS) alongside international partners. He called for an immediate halt to the offensive launched by the Syrian transitional authorities and said France and Europe could not support its continuation.

Macron described a recent presidential decree on Kurdish rights as “a step in the right direction” and reaffirmed France’s support for a negotiated settlement that preserves Syria’s unity and territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper welcomed efforts to reduce hostilities and urged Syrian government forces to halt offensive operations in areas between Aleppo and al-Tabqa. He stressed that sustained pressure against ISIS requires coordination among Syrian partners and international coalition forces, adding that peace and stability in Syria are essential for regional security.




PUKMEDIA