Syria designates key zone west of Euphrates a military area

The Syrian Army has officially declared all areas west of the Euphrates River a military zone, demanding the immediate withdrawal of armed groups to the eastern side of the strategic waterway. In a statement issued on Monday, the army accused the YPG/SDF—a group it designates as terrorist—of massing forces and launching repeated drone attacks on the city of Aleppo from these occupied territories.

Escalation Following Broken Agreements

This declaration marks a significant escalation in tensions between the central Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The move comes months after a key integration agreement was signed in March 2025, which aimed to bring the SDF into state institutions and reaffirm Syria's territorial unity. A follow-up pact in April specifically required the SDF to withdraw its fighters east of the Euphrates. Military officials now claim that "the SDF has not shown any efforts to meet the terms of the agreements," leading to the current hardening of posture.

Mounting Civilian Toll in Aleppo

The army's statement directly links the military zone declaration to ongoing violence in Aleppo. According to official figures, SDF shelling of residential neighborhoods and army positions in the city over the past week has resulted in 24 fatalities, nearly 130 injuries, and the displacement of approximately 165,000 residents from districts like Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud. The army asserts that areas including Meskene and Deir Hafir are being used as launchpads for attacks, and it has urged civilians to avoid locations controlled by the SDF.

A Test for Syria's New Political Order

The confrontation poses a major test for Syria's stability following the ouster of the long-time Assad regime in December 2024. The post-Assad government in Damascus has intensified efforts to assert control and maintain security nationwide. By drawing a red line at the Euphrates, the Syrian Army is challenging a major armed faction's presence in a resource-rich region, setting the stage for a potential confrontation that could reshape the balance of power in northern Syria.