Syrian government forces seize Deir Hafer, Maskana as Kurdish SDF withdraws amid clashes and mass displacement
Syrian government forces entered Deir Hafer and Maskana after Kurdish-led SDF began withdrawing; clashes killed soldiers, displaced over 11,000, and raised tensions despite U.S. mediation.
Overview
Syrian army entered Deir Hafer, Maskana and surrounding areas east of Aleppo Saturday morning after Kurdish-led SDF announced evacuation to avoid clashes, citing prior fighting in Aleppo.
State media reported two soldiers killed and others wounded during clashes near Maskana; SDF accused Damascus of violating withdrawal terms by entering towns before full pullback.
More than 11,000 civilians fled Deir Hafer and Maskana using side roads to government-held areas; authorities opened corridors while residents faced closed highways and damage.
Tensions eased after U.S. officials met SDF in Deir Hafer; SDF commander Mazloum Abdi planned talks with U.S. envoy Tom Barrack in Irbil.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree recognizing Kurdish as a national language and Newroz as a holiday; Kurdish authorities say constitutional guarantees are necessary.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present a largely neutral account, attributing claims to the SDF, Syrian state media (SANA) and U.S. officials while reporting observable facts (tanks, convoys, displacement). Editorial choices emphasize attribution and balanced sourcing rather than evaluative language; quoted accusations (SDF saying Damascus "violated" the agreement, SANA accusing SDF) are source content.
Sources (7)
FAQ
The SDF announced withdrawal on January 16 as a goodwill gesture to advance the merger process under the March 10 agreement, following a decree by Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa recognizing Kurdish rights, including Kurdish as a national language and Newroz as a holiday.
The SDF claimed Syrian forces entered Deir Hafer and Maskana before the SDF had fully completed their withdrawal, creating a dangerous situation, while state media SANA reported SDF fighters targeted an army patrol near Maskana, killing two soldiers.
Over 11,000 civilians fled Deir Hafer and Maskana using side roads to government-held areas; some reports cite up to 27,450, with residents beginning to return as government forces secured routes and tensions eased.
Government forces secured Deir Hafer, Maskana, surrounding villages, Jarrah air base, and advanced toward Dibsi Afnan in Raqqa province, conducting mine clearance and deploying internal security forces.
U.S. officials met with SDF in Deir Hafer to ease tensions, and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi planned talks with U.S. envoy Tom Barrack in Irbil amid ongoing mediation efforts.
History
- 4 sources
