The Syrian army is moving into areas east of Aleppo city, following the withdrawal of Kurdish forces. Syrian troops have been spotted entering Deir Hafer, a town approximately 50km from Aleppo.
On Friday, the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia announced a redeployment east of the Euphrates following discussions with U.S. officials and a commitment from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to recognize Kurdish as a national language.
After recent violent clashes, the U.S. urged both sides to avoid further confrontations, as President al-Sharaa aims to integrate Kurdish military and civic institutions into the Syrian national framework.
In a statement issued by state-run news agency Sana, the Syrian army confirmed that its forces have begun entering the western Euphrates area, claiming full military control of Deir Hafer. They also cautioned civilians to refrain from entering the area until it is deemed secure and free of mines and remnants of war.
Reports indicate that images of Syrian forces advancing towards the area, including tanks, have surfaced. This operation follows the Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi confirming a pullback of his U.S.-backed SDF towards positions east of the Euphrates, in response to appeals from friendly nations and mediators.
U.S. special envoy Tom Barrack is scheduled to meet with Abdi later this Saturday in Erbil, capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.
In recent days, the Syrian army urged civilians to evacuate Deir Hafer, resulting in at least 4,000 people fleeing as reported by Syrian authorities.
Prior to the Kurdish withdrawal, President al-Sharaa announced his intention to declare Kurdish a national language, as well as recognize the Kurdish new year as an official holiday. This decree marks the first formal acknowledgment of Kurdish national rights since Syria's independence in 1946, as it declared Kurds as an 'essential and integral part' of Syria, which had experienced decades of oppression under past regimes.
Despite a semblance of reducing tensions, several disagreements persist. The Kurdish administration in northern and northeastern Syria labeled the decree as a 'first step' while demanding permanent constitutional measures reflecting the people's will instead of temporary decrees.
After Syrian troops entered areas east of Aleppo, tensions flared with accusations from Damascus of violating the earlier agreement through premature military movements. The SDF reciprocated by claiming that their forces acted in self-defense against the Syrian advance.
Kurdish forces have maintained control over significant portions of Syria's oil-rich north and northeast, which they seized during the civil war and the subsequent conflict against ISIS. Following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, President al-Sharaa has sought to incorporate Kurdish factions into Syrian institutions. Over a year after the SDF signed a deal with the government for this purpose, implementation is still pending, with both parties attributing blame for the delays.
