Syrian forces move into Aleppo district after SDF withdrawal
Syrian internal security forces have begun deploying in Aleppo's Ashrafieh neighborhood, asserting control following the withdrawal of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The move is part of a broader state effort to restore government authority in northern Syria after the collapse of the Assad regime late last year.
Syrian government forces have taken a significant step toward reasserting control in the divided city of Aleppo, moving internal security units into a key neighborhood following the pullout of a rival militia. According to Syria's Interior Ministry, security forces began deploying in the Ashrafieh district on Thursday evening after the area was handed over by the Syrian Democratic Forces, which Damascus labels a terrorist group linked to the PKK.
A Coordinated Effort to Restore State Authority
The ministry stated that the deployment, conducted in coordination with regular army units stationed nearby, aims to "restore security and stability" in Ashrafieh. The forces have started duties focused on "protecting civilians and preventing any security breaches or acts of disorder." This action follows reports of mass defections and flight by SDF fighters from the adjacent Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, weakening the group's local grip.
Background of Military Pressure and a Stalled Agreement
The security move comes after a day of intense Syrian army shelling targeting SDF positions in Aleppo early Thursday. The military offensive was described as retaliation for SDF attacks that reportedly killed at least nine civilians and injured dozens. This escalation underscores the failure of a political agreement signed in March, which outlined the SDF's integration into state institutions to preserve Syria's territorial unity. Damascus now claims the SDF has made no effort to fulfill the terms of that deal.
The Post-Assad Security Landscape in Syria
Since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year regime on December 8, 2024, the new Syrian government has intensified nationwide efforts to consolidate its security control. The deployment in Aleppo represents a critical test of the state's ability to reclaim authority in a major urban center long contested by various armed groups. Restoring full sovereignty over Aleppo, Syria's pre-war commercial capital, remains a central objective for Damascus as it navigates a complex post-war landscape.
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