Syrian Kurdish–Islamist conflict (2013-present)

The 2013 Syrian Kurdish–Islamist conflict started during the Syrian civil war after fighting erupted between the Kurdish YPG and Islamist rebels factions in the city of Ras al-Ayn. Kurdish forces launched a campaign in an attempt to take control of the Islamist-controlled areas in the governorate of Al-Hasakah and some parts of Ar-Raqqah and Aleppo governorates. The Kurds' goal was also to strengthen the autonomy and freedom of the region.

Background
Since the end of the battle of Ras al-Ayn, the city was divided between an Arab-controlled western part and a Kurdish-controlled eastern part. On 16 July, members of the Al-Nusra Front attacked a female patrol of the YPG, they detained the YPG fighter who was driving the vehicle and two female fighters managed to escape. In response to this attack, the YPG brought reinforcements from al-Derbasiya while Al-Nusra had sent 200 fighters reinforcements a few days before.

Kurdish capture of Ras al-Ayn and fighting spreads
During the evening of the 16th, the Kana'is street (where the YPG was positioned) and the al-Mahatta neighborhood (where al-Nusra was positioned) witnessed clashes. A few hours later, the YPG took control of the headquarters of Al-Nusra and released the fighter Al-Nusra had kidnapped.

On 17 July, Kurdish fighters expelled the jihadists from the town of Ras al-Ayn after a night of fighting and soon after took control of the border crossing with Turkey. Islamist forces retreated from Ras al-Ayn to Tal Half, Asfar and Najar which are under rebel control. 11 people were killed during the fighting, including nine jihadist and two Kurdish fighters.

On 18 July, the YPG captured the al-Sweidiya oil area. Fighting still continued between the YPG and the al-Nusra front in the al-Sweidiya area of the Rmeilan oil fields. Clashes had also erupted in the villages of Tal A'lo, Karhouk and A'li Agha and al-Nusra had bombarded areas of Ras al-Ain. Later in the day, the YPG captured the village of Qasrouk which was previously held by al-Nusra.

On 19 July, the YPG captured the village of Tal A'lo. Fighting was still continuing in Karhouk and A'li Agha. The next day, Kurdish fighters captured an al-Nusra checkpoint near the contested villages. By this point, 35 jihadist and 19 YPG fighters had been killed in the fighting.

On 20 July, the YPG took control of a key dam previously held by the Islamists.

On 21 July, for the fifth consecutive day, clashes continued between the YPG and several Islamist units from al-Nusra and the ISIS near the villages of Karhouk and Ali Agha.

On 22 July, clashes continued between the YPG and Al-Nusra and the ISIS, the fighting took place in al-Sweidiya. During the night between the 22nd and 23 July, the YPG took control of two positions that were bases used by the Islamist brigades. The bases were in Kaziyat al-Sheikh and Mazra Kilmi. Meanwhile, the ISIS attacked a YPG checkpoint in the village of Mohammad Diab. In the Ar-Raqqah governorate, in the town of Tal Abyad, tensions arose between Kurdish neighborhoods controlled by the YPG and the Jabhat al-Akrad battalion, which is a group of Kurdish fighters, on the one hand and other areas controlled by ISIS and its allies, who were accused of theft and harassment.

On 23 July, in the Ar-Raqqah governorate, fighting erupted between the Kurdish and Islamist forces to the west of Tal Abyad city. Meanwhile, Kurdish fighters took control of several villages Kendar, Sosak Tal Akhdar Fandar and Tal al-Karsahat.

On 24 July, fighting took place south of Ras al-Ayn, near the village of Meshrafa, following an ISIS attack against a Kurdish control point. The YPG took control of Kharab Bashar and advanced toward the town of Tal Kojar.

On 25 July, fighting continued by the village of Tal Alo. In Tal Abyad, members of ISIS blew up houses belonging to Kurds. According to ISIS, these houses belonged to members of YPG and Jabhat al-Akrad. The jihadists claimed sockets were found in the houses.

On 26 July, ISIS and its allies bombed and attempted to take control of the village of Sweidiya but they were repelled by the YPG. ISIS and its allies have also attacked the village of Al-Yusifiya and the Al-Sheikh gas station. Fighting erupted in Tal Abyad, while the YPG took control of the village of Tal Fandar, capturing several Islamist vehicles equipped with machine gun.

On 27 July, ISIS and its allies attacked al-Jneidiya village, which is under the control of YPG. ISIS used heavy weapons to attack the village, but were repelled by the YPG. Meanwhile, ISIS and its allies bombed Ras al-Ayn.

On 29 July, the fighting spread to Aleppo Governorate. In the north-eastern Al-Sheikh Maqsood neighborhood of Aleppo city, clashes broke out between Kurdish police and Ansar al-Islam battalion. The day before, clashes continued between Al-Nusra and Jabhat al-Akrad in the village of Tal Hasel, many Kurdish civilians decided to leave Tal Hasel due to fears of bombings by Al-Nusra. Al-Nusra bombed south of Ras al-Ayn while a bomb exploded in front of the "People's House" directed by Kurdish Democratic Society Movement in the city of Hasakah.

On 30 July, after the murder of Isa Huso, member of the Kurdish Supreme Committee, the YPG called for the mobilization of Kurdish forces to protect the areas they control. In the governorate of Aleppo, clashes took place between Jabhat al-Akrad and al-Nusra, supported by ISIS, in the towns of Tal Tal Hasel and A'ran. Several Kurdish residents fled the towns.

On 31 July, in the Ar-Raqqah Governorate, fighting continued in several villages between the Kurds and Islamist forces, in the Aleppo Governorate, ISIS and its allies took control of Tal'eran and surrounded the village of Tel Hasel while grassroots activists have asserted that ISIS and its allies have kidnapped 200 civilians from the two towns, in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, ISIS and its allies attacked a YPG checkpoint near the town of Karki Leki.

August–September fighting and Kurdish advances
On 1 August, several FSA brigades from Manbij and Jarabulus as well as ISIS and Ahrar al-Sham declared the start of the siege of Kobani, or Ayn al-Arab where the headquarters of the YPG is located. The area surrounding Kobani has since been blocked from all sides.

On 2 August, 12 fighters from al-Nusra and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant were killed by the YPG during fighting in the villages of the Al-Hasakah Governorate, while ISIS and its allies attacked Ras al-Ayn.

On 3 August, clashes took place between the YPG and the ISIS, al-Nusra and its allies in the outskirts of the town of Tal Halaf, near Ras al-Ayn, in the Ar-Raqqah governorate. Clashes also took place between the YPG and al-Nusra, the ISIS and rebel allies in several villages in the outskirts of Tal Abyad city.

On 4 August, YPG forces advanced in the area of Tel Halaf.

By August 28, Islamists and Kurdish forces were battling for control of the town of Yarubiya on the Syrian-Iraqi border. Islamists had captured further territory from the Kurds in Aleppo and Raqqa provinces; while in Aleppo, Islamists were ethnically cleansing Kurds from towns in the countryside and massacring them; leading to a mass migration of civilians to the town of Afrin.

On 29 August, in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, two members of ISIS blew themselves up in a bomb car, killing one YPG fighter and six armed Kurdish civilians at a YPG's checkpoint in Hitteen

On 31 August, in the Aleppo Governorate, a group of ISIS releasing 20 Syrian Kurdish civilians from the Afrin area, after kidnapping them several days ago, they declared that they were tortured by the group. In the Al-Hasakah Governorate, ISIS and its allies bombarded Ras al-Ayn and fighting took place in the area against the Kurdish forces

On 3 September, in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, Ras al-Ayn was still bombarded by ISIS while YPG took control of several ISIS's bases in Keshto and the surrounding area.

On 4 September, in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, YPG fighters took hold of Khweitla, Khad'an and Msheirfa, while YPG fighters clashed with the ISIS, al-Nusra front and other rebel faction in Reef al-Ya'rubiya. Activists from the town accused the YPG of bombarding al-Ya'rubiya, but the YPG denied it stating that it only bombarded the ISIS headquarters.

On 6 September, in the Aleppo Governorate, YPG and Jabhat al-Akrad have fought rebel fighters in the al-Sheikh Maqsood, Achrafiya, Sakan al-Shaqif Shababi and neighbourhoods, after rebel fighters attacked one Kurdish checkpoints

On 7 September, in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, fighting took place during the night between Kurdish forces and Islamist fighters near al-Ya'rubiya, according to SOHR, YPG fighters took hold of several checkpoints

On 8 September, in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, YPG took a headquarters of ISIS in the western north of al-Ya'rubiya town near al-Mahmoudiya town

On 9 September, in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, fighting opposite YPG fighter and Islamist fighter on the outskirts of al-Ya'rubiya town which YPG fighters are attempting to take hold of

On 12 September, in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, 35 fighter of ISIS and its allies were killed in the perimeter of al-Ya'rubiya and other area while 13 YPG fighter were killed in several area including Ras al-A'in city

On 17 September, in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, Fighting broke out between Kurdish fighters and Islamist fighters in A'louk village That lies east of Ras al-A'in while fighting still took place near the town of al-Ya'rubiya. On 18 September, YPG took control of A'louk after four days of fighting that killed 20 people in both camps. Later in the day, According to SOHR, 39 bodies were found in A'louk, YPG losses reached to 12

On 18 September, the YPG fighters attacked the headquarters and strongholds of the ISIS in the village of Tiya, in the Al-Hasakah Governorate. On 20 September, fighting between Kurds forces and Islamist forces have occurred in Jafa, near the A'louk town. On 22 September, YPG fighter attacked the headquarters and strongholds of the ISIS in the village of Meshrafa and Jafa, in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, in Jafa, YPG fighter has destroyed two vehicles equipped with machine guns and damaged a tank belonging to ISIS.

On 23 September, after fighting YPG fighters seized control of Ghardouka and the al-Burj area, south of Ghardouka.

On 25 September, in the Al-Hasakah Governorate, YPG fighters took control of two village; Dardara, Hamid. The YPG took control of four villages since September 15, near Ras al-Ayn. In the Aleppo Governorate, fighting continued between Kurdish fighters and Islamist fighters in the area betweens in Jandeiras, near of A'frin and the town of Atama, in the Reef Idlib after an attack of ISIS against two YPG checkpoint.

On September 25, rebels from the Free Syrian Army joined members from ISIS in clashes with YPG forces around the town of Atma, on the Turkish border. FSA units were said to have brought heavy artillery to the battle to push back Kurdish snipers while Kurdish tanks were firing at Atma. Arab rebel artillery was launched at the town of Jindaris.

On September 26, in Aleppo's province, clashes broke out between the YPG fighters and the ISIS in the areas in between the Jandeiras suburb of Reef Aleppo and the Ataman area of Reef Idlib which led the death of the ISIS emir of Aleppo (of an Emirati nationality).

On 29 September, multiple bombers attacked Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. 6 people were killed and more than 40 were injured. ISIS later claimed responsibility and stated the attacks were retaliation for Masoud Barzani's stated intention to intervene in Syria on the behalf of the Syrian Kurds.

On 30 September, in Al-Raqqa province, there are reports that a rebel battalion detained a commander of one of the groups that pledged allegiance to the ISIS after the commander attacked the Sharia council headquarters after the council refused to aid him with ammunition and ordnance. YPG fighters clashed with the ISIS, Al-Nusra, and rebel fighters in the perimeter of the Sawsak village in the western part of Reef Tal Abiad, there are reports that the YPG punctured 2 ISIS vehicles and that at least 1 ISIS fighter was killed by the clashes.

October Kurdish offensive
On 9 October, in Al-Raqqa province, the son of Salih Muslim Muhammad was killed by clashes with ISIS fighters west of Tal Abyad city.

On 23 October, the YPG launched an offensive to capture the strategic town of al-Yarubiyah (Til Koçer) and its border crossing. Fighting continued for three days as the YPG advanced on the town, capturing the villages of Mazra'a and Seiha as well as seven military posts previously held by the Jihadists.

On 26 October the YPG took control of the Yarubiyah border crossing with Iraq as well as the town itself. Two YPG and nine ISIS fighters were killed during the battle. Four ISIS tanks and armored vehicles were destroyed.

On 28 October, the ISIS front in oil-rich Çil Axa region completely collapsed and YPG captured villages of Girhok, Yusufiyê, Sefa, Cinêdiyê, Girê Fatê, Ebû Hecer and Mezraa Kelem while remnants of the ISIS forces fled to Tall Hamis and Tal Brak. This led to forces from the Liwa al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad being completely surrounded around Çil Axa area. On October 29, the group, including its commander surrendered to the YPG.

November Kurdish offensive
On 2 November, Kurdish forces launched an offensive called the "Serekeniye Martyr’s Offensive", with the aim to consolidate their control of Hasaka province by pushing jihadist forces out of the area surrounding Ras al-Ayn. Between 2 and 4 November, YPG forces captured 19 villages from the ISIS around Ras al-Ayn.

On 5 November, the YPG captured Tal Halaf, Asfar Najjar and the whole Manajer area, thus taking complete control over the countryside of Ras al-Ain.

On 6 November, in Hasakah province, the YPG took over two villages west of Tall Tamer, on the highway to Aleppo, after clashes with the ISIS, Jabhat Al-Nusra and rebel allied groups. The towns the YPG had taken over were Ghebesh and Tal Shemarin, which are inhabited by Assyrians. By this point, YPG forces captured a total of 40 towns and villages in the offensive.

Between 12 and 14 November, the YPG captured 18 towns and villages in the countryside of al-Qahtaniya city.

On 13 November, following major gains by Kurdish fighters, the PYD announced plans to create an autonomous transitional government to run the Kurdish dominated north east of Syria. The plans were announced after a meeting in Qamishli that involved Christian and Arab groups. The plan called for the creation of a parliament of 82 members elected from three cantons across the region. Kurdish officials also stated that the region would continue to be managed autonomously regardless of events in the elsewhere in the war. Also in Al-Raqqah province, rebel fighters launched domestically manufactured rockets on the villages of Kandar and Abdi Kawi which are under the control of the YPG.

On 26 November, in Al-Hasakah province, clashes took place on the Hasakah-Tuweina-Dirbasiya road between the YPG against the ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra and allied rebels; one YPG fighter and five Al-Nusra and allied fighters killed. The YPG was able to take control of the villages of Elwan and al-Msheyrafa, as well as the areas of Madajen, Masaken, al-Maslakh, Madafat al-Wazir and the Live Stone resort. Clashes continued in al-Tweina town, in which the ISIS and al-Nusra are based.

On 28 November, in Al-Hasakah province, YPG fighters took hold of 3 villages (Rokoba, A'wja, and Tal Maghas) that lie on the Tal Tamer-Hasaka road after violent clashes with the ISIS, al-Nusra and several rebel battalions. Also, in Aleppo province ISIS fighters attacked, alongside al-Nusra fighters, YPG checkpoints in the perimeter of the Yazi Bagh, M'arin, and Qastel Jendo villages in the Afrin area.

During the night between 26 and 27 December, YPG launched an offensive on Jihadi areas between Hasakah and Qamishli during which they have taken Tell Brak District.

In Al-Hasakah governorate, there are reports that the YPG has taken over five villages after violent clashes with the ISIS since midnight, and sporadic clashes continue in the area with no reports of losses.

On 1 January 2014, The YPG battled the Islamist in Tell Brak, but were not able to capture the town. The battle caused 39 fatalities from the People's Protection Units and 21 Islamists.

2014 January Islamist offensive and Kurdish counter-offensive
On 24 January, Jihadist forces attacked the YPG-held town of Manajeer in Hasakah province. However, after four days of fighting, their attack was repelled. 23 Islamist and three Kurdish fighters were killed. During the fighting the YPG also captured at least one tank from the Jihadists.

On 1 February, it was reported that the YPG launched an offensive against ISIS bases in Tell Abyad.

On 3 February, the YPG claimed to have killed 8 ISIS fighters, including an ISIS commander, during clashes in Girê Spî.

On 15 February, the YPG supported by the Shammar tribe launched an offensive against the ISIS in Til Hemis area. Two days later, the YPG claimed to have killed "many" ISIS fighters and captured 30 of them, in addition of capturing five military vehicles and a large amount of weaponry during this operation.

On 23 February, a predawn raid by the YPG captured Tell Brak, which lies strategically between Hassaka and Qamishli.

On 26 February, the YPG announced to have haltered all its military operations in the Kurdish-controlled regions but warned its enemies that it would respond to every hostile action on Kurdish soil. The next day, ISIS launched an attack on Til Merûf which was eventually repelled by the YPG. According to the YPG 16 ISIS fighters were killed in the clashes.

On 1 March, ISIS attacked villages around Tell Abyad but the attack was repelled and left one ISIS fighter killed according to the YPG.

On 6 March, YPG claimed to have killed 16 ISIS fighters and destroyed a "military vehicle" in Tell Abyad.

On 11 March, ISIS captured the town of Sîrîn and attacked the Al-Hadaya hotel in the city of Qamishli with suicide bombs, killing nine Kurdish civilians. SOHR also reported that the ISIS executed 25 Kurds (including 14 fighters) in the Al-Sheyokh area, near Jarabulus.

On 13 March, ISIS, according to local sources, captured the Qereqozak Bridge and some strategic regions near to Suleiman Shah Shrine in Kobanê after clashes with Kurdish fighters.

On 14 March, Kurdish sources claimed that YPG and allied forces have killed 35 ISIS fighters in clashes in the countryside of southern Kobanî County, which erupted after the ISIS launched an unsuccessful attack towards the Serriin silos.

On 17 March, heavy clashes erupted between the YPG and ISIS near the Qereqozak Bridge in Kobanê. The YPG claimed to have killed 40 ISIS fighters.

On 19 March, the YPG claimed to have captured Til Zenxir village. The next day, the YPG also claimed to be in control of Tell Henzir, Tell Xezal Miço, Ferisa Şerabiyan, Ferisa Sofiyan, Ferisa Dişo, Tell Boğan and Tell Meha. It was also stated that 32 ISIS fighters were killed in the clashes.

On 22 March, SOHR reported heavy clashes between ISIS and YPG around many villages in the western countryside of Tell Abyad, resulting in migration of mainly Kurdish civilians from the western countryside of Tell Abyad and surrounding to Turkey.

Death toll
The following death toll is based on reports released by SOHR.

Strategic significance
"The Kurds are pursuing their own interests, specifically removing barriers to the establishment of a proto-state entity in northern Syria. Yet jihadis are one of the main obstacles," says Thomas Pierret, an expert on Syria and Islamist movements. For him, "the Kurds exploit an unfavorable environment for jihadists, including the growing hostility of the Free Syrian Army (FSA, rebels) and the public as well as major powers".

According to Charles Lister, expert with the IHS Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, "this remote area had become very important, especially for the jihadists who can turn it into a shelter and income benefit from the oil fields in it".