Tensions Rise as Syrian Army Advances into Eastern Aleppo Following Kurdish Withdrawal

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. This follows talks with US officials and 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 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 said its forces began entering the western Euphrates area and declared it had established full military control of Deir Hafer.

The military urged civilians not to enter the operations area until it is secured and cleared of mines and war remnants.

Images showed Syrian forces advancing towards the area, including tanks.

The move comes after Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi agreed to pull back the US-backed SDF towards redeployment in areas east of the Euphrates, responding to calls from friendly countries and mediators.

US special envoy Tom Barrack and Mazloum Abdi are set to meet later on Saturday in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.

In recent days, the Syrian army had urged civilians to flee Deir Hafer, with at least 4,000 people reportedly leaving.

Before the Kurdish withdrawal, President al-Sharaa announced that he would recognize Kurdish as a national language and the Kurdish new year as an official holiday. This statement marks the first formal recognition of Kurdish national rights since Syria's independence in 1946.

Despite the apparent easing of tensions, disagreements linger as the Kurdish administration called for more permanent constitutional guarantees rather than temporary decrees. Meanwhile, Syria's army also accused the SDF of violating agreements, claiming two of its soldiers were killed by Kurdish forces during the advance.

Following the ousting of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, President al-Sharaa has pursued efforts to integrate Kurdish bodies into Syrian institutions. In March 2025, the SDF signed an agreement to this effect, but nearly a year later, the implementation remains unresolved, with each side blaming the other.