Syrian Army warns SDF over mobilization in Aleppo, designates closed military zones

The Syrian Army’s Operations Command has issued a formal warning over the ongoing mobilization of the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northern Aleppo province. In a statement carried by the state news agency SANA, the army accused the group, alongside PKK elements and former regime remnants, of using the area as a launch point for attacks, specifically referencing Iranian-made suicide drones targeting Aleppo.

Call for Withdrawal and Civilian Safety

The army urged civilians to avoid SDF positions and called on all armed formations in the area to withdraw east of the Euphrates River. It warned that it would take “all necessary measures” to prevent the zone from being used as an attack base and declared several locations closed military zones effective immediately. The statement follows reports of SDF shelling in Aleppo last week, which official figures claim resulted in civilian and military casualties and the displacement of tens of thousands.

Background of Failed Integration Agreements

The warning underscores the breakdown of earlier integration agreements. In March 2025, a deal was announced for the SDF’s incorporation into state institutions, followed by an April 2025 agreement specifically concerning Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh districts. That pact stipulated disarming militias, restricting weapons to state security forces, and withdrawing SDF military units east of the Euphrates. Authorities now assert the SDF has made no effort to fulfill these terms.

Post-Transition Security Consolidation

The Syrian government’s heightened focus on security in Aleppo occurs within the broader context of consolidating control following the political transition of December 2024. The army’s statement signals an intent to enforce territorial sovereignty and preempt any potential threats from northern sectors, setting the stage for possible military action if the SDF does not comply with the withdrawal demand.