Syrian Army enters Deir Hafir as YPG/SDF announces pullback

Syrian government forces have begun entering the city of Deir Hafir east of Aleppo, following an announcement by the YPG/SDF that it would withdraw its fighters east of the Euphrates River. The military advance marks a significant shift in control over a contested area.

Syrian Army units have started moving into the strategic city of Deir Hafir in eastern Aleppo province, capitalizing on a declared withdrawal by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The military's Operations Command confirmed that "advance units of the Syrian Arab Army have begun entering the area west of the Euphrates, starting with the city of Deir Hafir," according to a report by Syria's Al-Ikhbariya TV.

A Coordinated Withdrawal and Advance

The army's entry follows a public statement from a senior YPG/SDF figure, Ferhat Abdi Sahin, who announced that the group's elements would withdraw from areas west of the Euphrates River. The pullback was scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) on Saturday, moving fighters to regions east of the river. This appears to be a tactical retreat by the SDF, which forms the core of the U.S.-backed opposition in northeastern Syria, in the face of sustained military pressure from Syrian government forces.

Focus on Civilian Safety and Clearing Operations

Prior to the advance, the Syrian Army issued warnings to civilians, urging them to avoid designated military operation zones in the Deir Hafir area. The military cited safety concerns, specifically the dangers posed by uncleared landmines and other explosive remnants of war. With the SDF's withdrawal, the army's immediate tasks are to fully secure the city and conduct thorough clearance operations to make the area safe for the return of residents and the restoration of state authority.

Strategic Implications for Northern Syria

The takeover of Deir Hafir represents a notable victory for the Syrian government's campaign to reassert control over territories lost during the civil war. For the SDF and its primary component, the People's Protection Units (YPG), the withdrawal consolidates its forces in its traditional stronghold east of the Euphrates. This development is closely watched by Türkiye, which considers the YPG a terrorist organization linked to the PKK. While the reduction of YPG presence near the Turkish border may be viewed favorably in Ankara, the expansion of Syrian government and Iranian-backed influence creates a new strategic dynamic that requires careful navigation to maintain regional stability and protect Türkiye's national security interests.