F-16 shoots down deadly Bayraktar TB2 drone of Turkey in Syria, is this the start of NATO vs NATO conflict?

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have repeatedly accused Turkey and its allied opposition groups of violating the US brokered ceasefire agreement.

The situation in Syria is now appearing to be shaping into a NATO vs. NATO conflict, raising concerns that tensions between the U.S. and Turkey over control of the region could soon escalate dramatically. This tension stems from the differing interests of both nations in Syria. The US backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) recently announced the successful downing of a Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drone near the Karakozak Bridge in northern Raqqa. The SDF Media Center disclosed this on January 1, 2025, and released footage of the drone being shot down.

In their statement, the SDF said, “At exactly 1:00 PM this afternoon, our fighters successfully downed a Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drone in the Karakozak Bridge area.” Photos and videos of the wreckage have been widely circulated on social media. However, the specific weapon system used to take down the drone has not been revealed. The Bayraktar TB2 is a highly advanced Turkish drone that has been deployed in several military operations, including in Nagorno-Karabakh and Ukraine.

Despite the TB2’s sophisticated technology, the SDF has demonstrated increasing effectiveness in neutralizing such threats. Notably, in mid-December, the SDF released footage of another successful shootdown of a TB2 drone.

SDF celebrates its achievements

According to the SDF Media Center, the latest incident marks the third Turkish drone shot down by SDF forces in the past month, showing their continued success in countering Turkish drone operations. The rise in drone confrontations in Syria is part of the broader geopolitical tensions involving the U.S., Turkey, and Kurdish forces.

In addition to the SDF’s actions, a significant event occurred in October 2023 when a U.S. Air Force F-16 shot down a Turkish drone that had dangerously approached American forces in northeastern Syria.

Why the US shot down a Turkish drone

It is believed that the Turkish drone was targeting Kurdish YPG fighters near American bases, leading to the rare use of force between NATO allies. At the time, U.S. officials stated that several attempts were made to contact Ankara to redirect the drone before the decision to shoot it down was made. Later, Turkey denied ownership of the drone but did not clarify which party was responsible for its operation. The drone was widely believed to be an Anka-S, a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV larger than the Bayraktar TB2. The Anka-S can carry a payload of up to 200 kilograms (450 pounds) and is capable of deploying advanced weapons such as laser-guided anti-tank missiles and guided rocket pods.

SDF accuses Turkey of ceasefire violations

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have repeatedly accused Turkey and its allied opposition groups of violating the US brokered ceasefire agreement. In a statement, the SDF emphasized that “the Turkish state and its proxies are escalating their aggression while disregarding all de-escalation efforts.” Despite the U.S.’s role as a mediator in the ceasefire, the region remains rife with conflict, with both sides blaming each other for undermining the fragile truce.

On December 30, 2024, just two days before the Turkish drone was downed, the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that the ceasefire in the Manbij region was still in effect. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated, “The ceasefire in that northern part of Syria remains in place.”

Increased US military presence in Syria

Amid these rising tensions, reports indicate that the U.S. is expanding its military presence in northern Syria. Videos and images circulating on social media show U.S. troops and equipment moving towards Kobani, a town on the Turkish border that has witnessed intense clashes between Kurdish-led SDF forces and Turkey-backed groups. The U.S. maintains around 2,000 troops in Syria, primarily focused on combating ISIS. However, the enhanced presence in Kobani suggests a strategic shift, possibly including the establishment of a new international coalition base in the area.