Syrian army demands Kurdish Forces withdraw from area east of Aleppo

ALEPPO - Syria's army has issued on Tuesday a formal demand for Kurdish-led forces to withdraw from a large area east of the city, just days after government forces secured full control of Aleppo's Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods.

The Syrian military, through a statement broadcast on state television, declared the region — stretching from near Deir Hafer (approximately 50 km east of Aleppo) to the Euphrates River further east, and extending southward — a "closed military zone."

In Qamishli, the main Kurdish city in the country's northeast, thousands of people demonstrated against the Aleppo violence, with some burning pictures of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa

The army ordered all armed groups in the area to withdraw to the east of the Euphrates River. This move follows intense fighting in Aleppo that began earlier in January 2026, centered on neighborhoods such as Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh.

Clashes erupted after stalled negotiations over integrating the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the central government under a March 2025 agreement.

By January 10-11, the last SDF fighters withdrew from Aleppo under a ceasefire deal, evacuating to the northeast. Reports indicate dozens of fighters disarmed, with hundreds of civilians and some detainees transported out.

The violence displaced tens of thousands and killed dozens, including civilians, fighters, and soldiers.

Government forces have since reinforced positions in the Deir Hafer area, with artillery deployments observed.

Syrian authorities accused the SDF of sending reinforcements and launching attacks, including with drones. In response, the SDF and Kurdish officials have accused Damascus of preparing further aggression.

Protests erupted in Qamishli, the main Kurdish city in the northeast, where thousands demonstrated against the Aleppo violence. Some burned portraits of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The broader context involves Syria's Islamist-led transitional government seeking to extend authority nationwide after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.

The SDF, backed by the US and controlling oil-rich northeast regions, has resisted full integration, citing concerns over minority rights.

Turkey, which views the SDF as linked to the PKK (a designated terrorist group), has supported the government's actions in Aleppo and called for dismantling Kurdish armed presence.

Fresh skirmishes were reported overnight east of Aleppo, highlighting the fragility of the situation. The demand for withdrawal raises fears of renewed fighting, potentially drawing in regional powers and complicating post-conflict stabilization.