Syrian Army Advances East of Aleppo Following Kurdish Forces’ Withdrawal

Syrian government forces have rapidly advanced into key areas east of Aleppo, including Deir Hafer and Maskanah, after the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced their withdrawal on January 16, 2026.[3][4] This move comes amid heightened tensions following deadly clashes in Aleppo city and international mediation efforts to prevent further escalation.[1][2]

Escalation from Aleppo City Clashes

The current developments stem from intense fighting in Aleppo’s Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh, which erupted in early January 2026.[1][2] On January 10, the SDF and Syrian transitional government reached a ceasefire agreement, under which Kurdish fighters withdrew from the city to northeastern Syria.[2] Government forces captured these areas over the weekend of January 11, coordinating the evacuation of SDF fighters and civilians via buses, with mediation from the United States and other international actors.[2]

Casualties were significant: the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 45 civilians and 60 soldiers and fighters killed, while civil defense officials recovered 50 bodies from the neighborhoods.[1] Both sides accused each other of initiating the violence, which displaced tens of thousands and marked a continuation of SDF-government clashes dating back to 2025.[2]

Syrian state television broadcasted army statements declaring parts of eastern Aleppo a “closed military zone,” ordering all armed groups to withdraw east of the Euphrates River.[1] The zone spans from near Deir Hafer—about 50 kilometers east of Aleppo city—to the Euphrates, 30 kilometers further, including southern extensions previously under SDF control.[1]

Withdrawal and Rapid Syrian Advance

By January 13, reinforcements including air defense batteries and artillery were seen moving toward Deir Hafer, following accusations of SDF buildups there.[1] Clashes intensified around Deir Hafer and Maskanah, prompting civilian flight from SDF-held zones.[3]

On January 16, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced the withdrawal from eastern Aleppo areas, including Deir Hafer, to positions east of the Euphrates starting January 17 at 7 a.m. local time.[3][4] This decision followed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s decree on Friday, January 16, enhancing Kurdish rights—addressing decades of marginalization under the Baath Party regime that ended with Bashar al-Assad’s fall in December 2024.[4]

Syrian forces moved swiftly: state media reported entry into over 30 villages and towns, securing Deir Hafer, Maskanah, and a military airport.[3][4] They oversaw the exit of hundreds of Kurdish fighters, with displaced civilians beginning to return under heavy military presence.[3] However, the SDF accused Damascus of violating withdrawal terms by entering towns prematurely, heightening dangers.[4] Two Syrian soldiers were killed in related clashes.[4]

Broader Context and Tensions

This advance reflects the Syrian Islamist government’s push to extend authority nationwide, stalling integration of the Kurds’ semi-autonomous administration per a March 2025 deal.[1] The SDF controls oil-rich northeast territories captured during the civil war and anti-ISIS operations.[1]

Kurdish officials, including Elham Ahmad, decried the actions as preparations for a “full-scale attack,” breaching agreements and constituting a “declaration of war.”[1] She called for UN-mediated talks with security guarantees, while affirming self-defense.[1] Protests erupted in Qamishli, with thousands burning portraits of President al-Sharaa (formerly Abu Mohammed al-Jolani) and chanting against him, amid a general strike.[1] Demonstrators also targeted Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, reflecting Ankara’s support for the Aleppo operations against “terrorist organizations.”[1]

Turkey views the SDF as a PKK extension—a charge complicated by the PKK’s 2025 announcement ending its armed struggle against Ankara and destroying weapons.[1] The PKK labeled the Aleppo events an sabotage of Turkey-PKK peace efforts.[1]

Implications for Syria’s Fragile Transition

The Syrian army’s consolidation east of Aleppo underscores the transitional government’s momentum since al-Sharaa’s rise, but risks reigniting sectarian strife.[1] References to past Alawite and Druze massacres highlight ongoing minority concerns.[1] With SDF relocation, calm has tentatively returned to Aleppo city, but the east remains volatile.[2]

International pressure, including U.S. mediation, facilitated the Aleppo withdrawal, suggesting potential for de-escalation.[2] Abdi’s agreement emphasized safe evacuations, yet SDF grievances over violations persist.[4] As Syrian forces secure these fronts, questions linger on whether al-Sharaa’s Kurdish rights decree will foster dialogue or serve as a tactical concession.[4]

This episode illustrates Syria’s precarious post-Assad landscape: a government reclaiming territory, a powerful Kurdish force retreating strategically, and external powers like Turkey and the U.S. shaping outcomes. Stability hinges on honoring ceasefires and advancing integration talks, amid a population still scarred by 15 years of war.[1][4]

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Original source: BBC News – World – Syrian army moves east of Aleppo after Kurdish forces withdraw