Syrian Army Advances into Eastern Aleppo Following Kurdish Withdrawal

Sat Jan 17 2026 16:37:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

With the withdrawal of Kurdish forces, the Syrian army has begun to expand its control into the eastern regions of Aleppo, amidst shifting dynamics in the conflict and new agreements on Kurdish rights.

The Syrian army has commenced its advance into areas east of Aleppo city, particularly Deir Hafer, following the withdrawal of Kurdish forces. This transition comes after a pledge from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to recognize Kurdish as a national language, marking a significant step towards Kurdish integration in Syrian institutions. However, tensions persist as both sides accuse each other of violating agreements related to military movements and civilian safety.

The Syrian army is moving into areas east of Aleppo city, after Kurdish forces started a withdrawal.

Syrian troops have been spotted entering Deir Hafer, a town about 50km (30 miles) from Aleppo.

On Friday, the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia announced it would redeploy east of the Euphrates river, following talks with US officials. This announcement coincided with a pledge from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to make Kurdish a national language.

After deadly clashes last week, the US urged both sides to avoid a confrontation. President al-Sharaa is seeking to integrate the Kurds' military and civilian bodies into Syrian national institutions.

In a statement to state-run news agency Sana, the Syrian army declared it had established full military control of Deir Hafer and warned civilians to stay clear of operations areas until they are secured.

The move comes after Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi agreed to pull back his US-backed SDF in response to international calls for de-escalation. US special envoy Tom Barrack is expected to meet with Abdi later in Erbil, Iraq.

Before the Kurdish withdrawal, President al-Sharaa announced a new decree recognizing Kurdish rights, stating that Kurds were an essential and integral part of Syria, but Kurdish leaders seek more substantial recognition beyond temporary measures.

Despite these developments, tensions remain high, with each side accusing the other of violating the terms of the recent agreements.