Syrian army encircles Suleyman Shah Tomb area as ceasefire takes hold

​​​​​​​The Syrian Arab Army has established control over the area containing the Suleyman Shah Tomb in northern Aleppo province, achieving a symbolic military objective moments before a ceasefire with the YPG/SDF took effect. According to field reports, forces encircled the village of Karakozak but have not yet physically entered the tomb's grounds due to a dense concentration of mines left by retreating forces.

A Pivotal Advance on the Euphrates Front

The operation began with intense clashes in the southern parts of the Ayn al-Arab district (Kobani). After securing the town of Sarrin, northeast of Aleppo, army units advanced northward toward the Karakozak area. The advance was complicated by heavy fire from entrenched positions on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, which initially prevented a crossing. Ultimately, by surrounding Karakozak from the south and west, the army secured the perimeter of the tomb's location.

A Site of Profound Historical Significance for Türkiye

The Suleyman Shah Tomb holds deep historical and symbolic importance for Türkiye. It was considered sovereign Turkish territory under a 1921 treaty, serving as an extraterritorial enclave inside Syria. In 2015, facing an imminent threat from Daesh, Türkiye conducted a major military operation to evacuate the tomb's guardians, relocate the remains, and demolish the structure to prevent its desecration. The site's recapture by the Syrian state, rather than by a terrorist organization, is a significant development for Ankara, as it ensures the area is under the control of a sovereign government with which Türkiye can engage diplomatically.

Security Delay Due to Extensive Mining

While the Syrian army now controls the general area, a full takeover of the tomb site itself is pending. Reports indicate that retreating YPG/SDF forces extensively mined the approaches to the area, particularly around a key bridge and within the tomb's grounds. Syrian engineering units must now conduct a careful and time-consuming clearance operation to neutralize explosive devices before forces can safely enter and secure the location. This tactical delay is a common feature in the conflict's final phases.

Strategic and Symbolic Victory Amidst a Ceasefire

This military action concluded just one hour before a broader four-day ceasefire between the Syrian government and the SDF came into force nationwide. The timing underscores the operation's strategic importance to Damascus, allowing it to claim a tangible gain on the ground as diplomatic negotiations proceed. For Türkiye, the removal of the PKK/YPG from this sensitive location adjacent to its border is a direct security benefit and aligns with its goal of seeing the terrorist group dislodged from all of northern Syria by the legitimate Syrian state.