Israeli officials have called for international action to protect Syria's Kurds from Turkish-backed armed groups following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

An 11-day offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham resulted in the capture of Damascus and other strategic cities in Syria.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been a key U.S. partner in the fight against the Islamic State, leading to the liberation of most territory once controlled by the group.

The Turkish government views the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU.

A U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Manbij has paused fighting, allowing SDF fighters to withdraw, but attacks continue elsewhere in the region.