Fresh clashes erupted early Monday between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian government troops in northern Syria, further straining a fragile integration agreement between the two sides. The SDF accused Damascus of initiating the aggression, while the U.S. called for restraint and dialogue.

According to an SDF statement, factions linked to the Syrian interim government attacked four of its positions in Deir Hafer, Aleppo province. “Our forces confronted the assault and responded in self-defense, leading to 20 minutes of continuous clashes,” the statement read. The SDF held the Syrian government “fully responsible” and warned of a “forceful and determined” response if attacks continue.

The violence follows Sunday’s clashes in Manbij, where both sides traded blame for an attack that wounded four Syrian soldiers and three civilians, as reported by state media SANA.

These escalating tensions jeopardize a landmark March agreement between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Rojava administration, which aimed to integrate the SDF into Syria’s state institutions while recognizing Kurdish rights. However, progress has stalled, with disputes over whether the SDF should merge as a unified force or individually.

U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack expressed concern over the clashes, urging both sides to “uphold calm and resolve differences through dialogue, not bloodshed.” On social media platform X, he emphasized, “Syria deserves stability. Syrians deserve peace.”

Barrack also addressed recent unrest in Suwayda, where state-affiliated forces clashed with Druze militants days after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. He reiterated that diplomacy remains the best path forward, praising U.S. mediation efforts in Suwayda and northeast Syria’s reintegration talks, co-led with France.