Syrian Army Expands Control as Kurdish-Led Forces Withdraw

Syrian government forces are moving into key towns and neighborhoods across northern Syria following a coordinated withdrawal by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This significant military repositioning is expanding state control in Aleppo province and reducing the potential for direct clashes between the two sides.

Units of the Syrian national army entered the town of Deyr Hafir, east of Aleppo, over the weekend after SDF fighters pulled out [52385][52326]. Similar transfers of control occurred in the strategic Aleppo districts of Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud, where internal security forces have now deployed [45275][47086]. The SDF, a U.S.-backed alliance that was the primary partner in the fight against the Islamic State group (ISIS), stated it was withdrawing to avoid further conflict and to reposition its fighters east of the Euphrates River [52198][52385].

The moves appear to be part of local agreements, with some involving specific ceasefires, such as one facilitating an SDF withdrawal from a hospital in Sheikh Maqsoud [46675]. Syrian officials have stated the goal is to restore security and stability, allowing displaced civilians to return [52198][45275]. The developments mark a notable consolidation of government authority in Aleppo, Syria's largest city, which had remained partially divided since being recaptured from rebels in 2016 [47040].

While the SDF has denied any large-scale military buildup in the area, the Syrian government recently declared a closed military zone along the Deir Hafer-Maskanah corridor and ordered armed groups to move east of the Euphrates [48969]. The repositioning significantly alters the security landscape of northern Syria, bringing Syrian army forces closer to the Turkish border and reducing the SDF's presence west of the river [52375][52198].