Daijiworld Media Network - Aleppo
Aleppo, Jan 15: The Syrian army has instructed civilians to evacuate parts of the rural Aleppo governorate, citing concerns over a troop buildup by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the region. The move comes after several days of deadly clashes within Aleppo city, raising fears of a new front in the ongoing conflict.
A “humanitarian zone” was scheduled to operate on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time, allowing residents to leave Deir Hafer and Maskana in eastern Aleppo countryside. The army has designated the area as a closed military zone and reinforced its positions earlier this week.
At least 23 people have died in recent confrontations between the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led SDF and Syrian government forces. Although a March agreement had aimed to integrate the SDF into Syrian state institutions, stalled negotiations have reignited fighting.
Following a ceasefire on January 9, SDF fighters were allowed to leave Aleppo’s Kurdish neighbourhoods of Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud for northeastern Syria, where the SDF maintains semi-autonomous control. In the rural areas of Deir Hafer and Maskana, the Syrian military has called on SDF forces to withdraw to the east of the Euphrates River. Limited exchanges of fire have been reported.
The Syrian government has also accused the SDF of carrying out drone strikes in Aleppo city, including an attack on the governorate building shortly after a government press conference. Conversely, the SDF has alleged that the Syrian army has targeted local infrastructure in Deir Hafer.
Security measures have included road closures in the al-Safira region of rural Aleppo “to ensure citizen safety,” according to the state-run SANA news agency. Reports indicate the SDF presence in these areas includes fighters from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and remnants of the former regime.
Turkey has closely monitored the situation, with Ambassador Nuh Yilmaz visiting Aleppo to assess stability efforts. He stressed the importance of implementing the March agreement peacefully to avoid further conflict.
In a conciliatory move, the Syrian Interior Ministry released several SDF fighters in Sheikh Maqsoud, citing that they were “not involved in criminal acts.” Video footage showed dozens leaving detention facilities and boarding buses.
In an interview aired on state television, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa praised the courage of Kurdish citizens while condemning the SDF for hindering safe civilian evacuations and rejecting international mediation efforts.
The evacuation order and troop movements highlight ongoing volatility in Aleppo, underscoring the fragile security situation in northern Syria and the challenges of integrating semi-autonomous Kurdish forces into national governance structures.