The area east of the Euphrates, controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has become a strategic hotspot following the fall of ousted president Bashar al-Assad.

Stretching across the provinces of Hasakah, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor, the region contains most of Syria’s oil and gas fields as well as its main grain-producing plains.

Despite withdrawing hundreds of U.S. troops, Washington is seeking to facilitate talks between the new government and the SDF. Meanwhile, Turkey continues military pressure to curb the influence of forces linked to the PKK along its southern border.

Sources - Agencies