Deadly Clashes Between Turkish-US-Backed Forces in Syria

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (affiliated with the Syrian opposition) reported that more than 100 people have lost their lives in recent clashes between the US-backed Kurdish militias known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed armed groups in northern Syria.
According to the center, 85 of these were Turkish-backed forces and 16 were SDF members.
The clashes, which have intensified over the past two days, have occurred in areas around the city of Manbij, especially near the strategic Tishreen dam. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which operates through a network of inside sources, said Turkish forces have intensified ground and air strikes in the area.
The Tishreen Dam, built on the Euphrates River, is of strategic importance for its water and electricity supplies. Local sources said part of the dam's structure had been damaged during the recent fighting.
Turkey considers the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to be an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and a terrorist group. Accordingly, Turkey has increased its military pressure on these areas in recent months.
According to field sources, the Turkish army has been targeting the area around the dam with heavy artillery fire and is trying to take full control of this strategic area.
Since 2014, the United States has provided extensive military and logistical assistance to the Syrian Kurds under the pretext of combating ISIS in Syria and Iraq. With American support, they have occupied and controlled a large part of northeastern Syria, where most of Syria's oil and gas are located.