Syria-SDF ceasefire hangs in balance after renewed clashes, faltering talks

"Tensions between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been escalating, days after they announced a ceasefire, which is being severely tested by renewed fighting, involving the withdrawal of the latter's forces from areas west of the Euphrates River. Talks in Damascus between Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF leader Mazloum Abdi, also known as Mazloum Kobani, have faltered, with the latter returning to the northeast."

"Contention and a blame game have surrounded the issues of ISIL (ISIS) prisoners who escaped from al-Shaddadi prison during the fighting between the army and the SDF. Syria's Ministry of Interior said on Tuesday that 130 of 200 ISIL escapees had been recaptured. The ministry accused the SDF of releasing ISIL fighters from the prison in the northeastern city of al-Shaddadi as a form of political and security blackmail."

"The SDF has blamed the Syrian army for the prison break, saying it lost control of the jail after an attack by tribal fighters affiliated with the army. SDF commander Fawza Youssef on Tuesday blamed the al-Sharaa government for failing to uphold the deal. There is no political will on the part of the government to implement a ceasefire, he told Al Jazeera. If the violations and attacks continue, the SDF cannot be disarmed."

Tensions between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led SDF have escalated despite a recent ceasefire, with renewed fighting testing the truce and prompting SDF withdrawals from areas west of the Euphrates. Talks in Damascus between President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF leader Mazloum Abdi faltered and Abdi returned to the northeast. ISIL prisoners escaped from al-Shaddadi prison during fighting; Syria's Interior Ministry said 130 of 200 escapees were recaptured and accused the SDF of releasing fighters as political and security blackmail. The SDF blamed the Syrian army and allied tribal fighters for the break and said the government lacked political will to uphold the deal. An agreement required SDF withdrawal from Raqqa and parts of Deir Az Zor within a month.

Read at www.aljazeera.com