Tensions grow between Damascus and eastern Syria amid continuing efforts to integrate factions
By Seth Frantzman | September 4, 2025
On September 2, the state-controlled Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that Damascus intercepted an arms shipment destined for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the US-supported military force of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). The news is the latest indication of increasing tensions between Syria’s official government and factions in eastern Syria.
In March, SDF leader Mazloum Abdi met with Syrian transitional President Ahmed al Sharaa to discuss a roadmap toward integrating eastern Syria into the new government. However, the two entities have come into conflict several times since.









