Syria: SDF retakes villages from pro-government forces in Deir Al-Zor April 29

Event

Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters retook control of several villages in Deir Al-Zor province on Sunday, April 29, that had been temporarily captured by pro-government forces earlier on Sunday. According to earlier reports from Syrian state media, government forces had taken control of four villages east of the Euphrates River.

It is unclear if the US-led anti-Islamic State (IS) coalition provided air support to the SDF fighters. The US Army added that the US-led coalition had used "established de-confliction channels to de-escalate the situation." Additional skirmishes between US-backed SDF fighters and pro-government forces are possible in the near-term.

Context

Syria remains enmeshed in a complex civil war that started between the Assad government and opposition forces in March 2011. Today, the conflict in Syria involves many parties, including the Syrian government, the Russian government, the Iranian government, the Turkish government, a US-led coalition, and numerous armed groups on the ground (including the Islamic State) with competing goals.

Advice

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some banning travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to Syria.