Syrian army attacks YPG/SDF bases in eastern Aleppo region

The Syrian Arab Army has launched a targeted operation against positions of the YPG/SDF in the eastern Aleppo countryside. The military stated the strikes aim to dismantle drone launch sites and locations used for shelling, following the publication of detailed maps of the targeted area.

The Syrian military announced it has begun an operation targeting positions held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its primary component, the People's Protection Units (YPG), in the rural areas east of Aleppo. According to official statements, the operation is concentrated on the town of Deir Hafir, which the army has publicly identified as a key hub for the group's activities.

Official Claims of Drone Attacks and Shelling

In its justification for the operation, the Syrian Army's Operations Command claimed the targeted sites functioned as military bases. It alleged that these locations were used to launch Iranian-made suicide drones toward the city of Aleppo and to conduct artillery shelling of civilian areas in the surrounding countryside. The army further accused the groups of restricting the movement of civilians, preventing them from leaving conflict zones.

Preceded by a Public Mapping Campaign

The military action was preceded by an unusual public relations move. In the days leading up to the strikes, the Syrian Army published four detailed maps that specifically identified locations within Deir Hafir it alleged were being utilized by the YPG/SDF. This tactic was likely intended to build a public case for the offensive and signal its intentions in the contested region. The area has long been a focal point of conflict between Syrian government forces, Turkish-backed factions, and the SDF.

Regional Implications and Türkiye's Perspective

This latest operation occurs within the highly complex and fragmented landscape of northern Syria. For Türkiye, the YPG is considered an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a designated terrorist organization against which Ankara has waged a long-standing campaign. Türkiye maintains a significant military presence in northern Syria and has conducted multiple operations against YPG positions. From Türkiye's viewpoint, any military action that degrades the capabilities of the YPG/SDF contributes to its own national security by countering a perceived terrorist threat along its southern border. However, such actions also risk further destabilizing the region and exacerbating the humanitarian situation for civilians caught in the crossfire.