Syrian army units entered, early Saturday morning, areas in the eastern Aleppo countryside that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had announced they would withdraw from the previous night, stressing that SDF fighters would not be targeted during their withdrawal west of the Euphrates.
The Syrian Army’s Operations Directorate announced full control over the cities of Deir Hafer, Maskanah, and Al-Jafira, in addition to 34 towns and villages in eastern Aleppo, confirming that operations are underway to secure the areas and clear them of mines and unexploded ordnance.
An Al Jazeera correspondent explained that the areas entered by the Syrian army were those taken over by the SDF following the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad’s regime at the end of 2024.
The Syrian army also announced that it had secured the withdrawal of more than 200 SDF fighters, along with their weapons, from Deir Hafer and its surroundings, and confirmed its control over Al-Jarrah military airbase in eastern Aleppo.
Earlier in the day, Al Jazeera reported the arrival of Syrian army tanks, armored vehicles, and troop carriers in preparation for deployment in Deir Hafer, while warning residents not to enter the designated military operation zones until they are fully secured and cleared of mines.
Accusations Against Damascus
For its part, the SDF accused the Damascus government of failing to adhere to the agreement regarding Deir Hafer and Maskanah, saying this had created a highly dangerous situation with potentially serious consequences. In a statement, the group called on international parties sponsoring the agreement to intervene urgently to ensure its implementation and prevent further escalation.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi had earlier announced the withdrawal of his forces from current contact lines in Deir Hafer at 7:00 a.m. local time on Saturday, stating that the move came in response to appeals from friendly countries and mediators, and as a goodwill gesture to complete the integration process and implement the provisions of the March 10 agreement.
Abdi’s announcement came about two hours after the Syrian army said it had targeted SDF positions from which suicide drones were launched toward the city of Aleppo, preventing civilians from leaving the area.
Syrian Defense Ministry Welcomes Decision
The Syrian Ministry of Defense welcomed the SDF’s decision to withdraw from contact zones west of the Euphrates, affirming that it would oversee the full withdrawal of personnel and equipment to east of the river. The ministry also confirmed that Syrian army units had begun deploying in the areas simultaneously to secure them and assert state sovereignty.
A Syrian military source told Al Jazeera that army forces had started entering sites vacated by the SDF in Deir Hafer, announcing a halt to shelling SDF positions following the withdrawal declaration.
Call to Civilians
The Syrian army urged civilians to refrain from entering previously designated military operation areas in Deir Hafer, east of Aleppo, until security operations and mine clearance are completed.
The army had published maps on Friday showing four locations used by the SDF as launch points for operations in the Deir Hafer area. Earlier this week, Syrian forces were dispatched to eastern Aleppo after monitoring the arrival of additional armed groups affiliated with the SDF and remnants of the former regime near Maskanah and Deir Hafer.
The SDF continues to be accused of failing to implement the terms of an agreement signed with the government on March 10, 2025, which stipulates the integration of civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into state administration.
