SUMMARY

The conflict between Ahfad al Rasoul Brigade, Ahrar al-Sham, al-Farouq Brigades, Ghuraba al-Sham, IS, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, Jazeera-Euphrates Liberation Front, Liwa al-Fateh, and PYD took place in 2013. The conflict was mainly fought in Ras al Ayn town, which is located in al Hasakah governorate in northern Syria.

In 2013, northern Syria experienced increased violence between PYD (Partiya Yektîya Demokrat, Democratic Union Party) and Islamist groups. The violence occurred due to colliding ambitions between groups. While the Islamist groups were seeking to set up Islamic emirates, the PYD aimed to establish Kurdish governing structures. Control over the border areas was also highlighted as an important contributing factor.

Between November 2012 and July 2013, the town of Ras al Ayn experienced series of clashes between PYD and an alliance of Syrian rebel groups, both trying to take over control of the town which borders with Turkey. Named the Battle of Ras al Ayn, its clashes can be distinguished in three phases. Following the attack by Ahfad al Rasoul Brigade, Ahrar al-Sham, al-Farouq Brigades, Ghuraba al-Sham, IS, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, Jazeera-Euphrates Liberation Front, Liwa al-Fateh on PYD forces on January 16, 2013, a second phase in the series of clashes in Ras al Ayn was initiated. The conflict was active from January 2013 until May 2013. The third phase of the battle was fought between Ahfad al Rasoul Brigade, Ahrar al-Sham, IS, Islamic Kurdish Front, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, and PYD in July 2013.

The non-state conflict between Ahfad al Rasoul Brigade, Ahrar al-Sham, al-Farouq Brigades, Ghuraba al-Sham, IS, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, Jazeera-Euphrates Liberation Front, Liwa al-Fateh and PYD is first included in UCDP data in 2013. In January of that year, clashes between the groups had resulted in more than 25 battle-related deaths.