January 17, 2026, 11:09January 17, 2026, 11:09
The Syrian army says it has taken control of important locations near the northern Syrian city of Aleppo from Kurdish forces. After deadly fighting in the city of Aleppo, there have also been tensions and attacks in the areas around Deir Hafir and Maskana in recent days. During the night, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) finally announced that they would withdraw from the front lines east of Aleppo.
Syrian government soldiers in the town of Dair Hafir near Aleppo.Image: keystone
Government troops are now deployed in Deir Hafir to secure the situation and clear landmines, the state news agency Sana reported.
SDF: “Extremely dangerous situation”
However, the SDF criticized the army’s actions. Government troops entered both places before the SDF’s withdrawal was complete, it said in a statement on X. They accused the interim government of having created an “extremely dangerous situation with potentially serious consequences.”
The Syrian army had previously attacked SDF positions in the affected areas. Residents near Deir Hafir reported heavy artillery and rocket fire. The army said the attacked locations were to be viewed as military bases used by the SDF and its allies.
According to SDF leader Maslum Abdi, the decision to withdraw was a “gesture of goodwill” as part of the agreement to integrate the SDF into the Syrian armed forces. The decision was made at the request of “friendly countries and mediators”. According to authorities, thousands of people had already fled Deir Harfa and Maskana to avoid further fighting.
Mutual distrust
The background is a dispute over the planned integration of the previously autonomous Kurdish administrations into the state system. The interim government led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa accuses the SDF of tolerating supporters of the ousted Assad government and members of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in its ranks.
Kurdish representatives, in turn, fear further discrimination and the loss of their rights under the new leadership in Damascus. In the Syrian civil war, they played a leading role in the fight against the Islamic State terrorist militia and are still a close ally of the USA in the fight against the jihadists. They warn of a possible resurgence of IS. (sda/dpa)