In a significant shift in the ongoing conflict in Syria, the Syrian army has moved into areas east of Aleppo city, following the withdrawal of Kurdish forces. This development comes after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia announced it would redeploy east of the Euphrates river, in response to talks with US officials and a pledge from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to make Kurdish a national language.
The Syrian army has reportedly entered the town of Deir Hafer, located approximately 50km (30 miles) east of Aleppo. In a statement, the Syrian military said its forces “began entering the western Euphrates area” and declared it had established “full military control” of Deir Hafer. The army has urged civilians to avoid the operational area until it is secured and cleared of mines and war remnants.
The withdrawal of Kurdish forces comes after deadly clashes last week, prompting the US to urge both sides to avoid a confrontation. President al-Sharaa has been seeking to integrate Kurdish military and civilian bodies into Syrian national institutions, a move that has been met with mixed reactions.
In a significant gesture, al-Sharaa issued a decree on Friday recognising Kurdish as a national language and the Kurdish new year as an official holiday. This is the first formal recognition of Kurdish national rights since Syria’s independence in 1946. The decree states that Kurds are “an essential and integral part” of Syria, where they have endured decades of oppression under previous rulers.
However, the Kurdish administration in Syria’s north and north-east has responded cautiously, stating that the decree is “a first step” and calling for “permanent constitutions that express the will of the people” rather than “temporary decrees”.
The ongoing tensions between the Syrian government and Kurdish forces have been a complex and contentious issue. Both sides have accused each other of violating the terms of the agreement, with the Syrian army claiming that two of its soldiers were killed by Kurdish forces as the military moved in, while the SDF accused Damascus of sending troops in early.
The withdrawal of Kurdish forces from the Aleppo area is seen as a significant development, as they have been controlling swathes of Syria’s oil-rich north and north-east, much of it gained during the civil war and the fight against the Islamic State group over the past decade.
Following the ousting of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, President al-Sharaa has been seeking to integrate the Kurdish bodies into Syrian institutions. In March 2025, the SDF signed a deal with the government to that effect, but the agreement has yet to be fully implemented, with each side blaming the other.
As the situation continues to evolve, the shifting dynamics in the region will be closely watched, with the potential for further negotiations and compromises between the Syrian government and the Kurdish authorities.
