Army of the new authorities announced on Saturday the control on Deir Hafer and Maskanah in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, after the withdrawal of Kurdish militants known as Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
SANA state news agency cited the Syria Army’s Operations command as saying that the Syrian forces deployment in the city of Deir Hafer.
“We announce the complete establishment of our military control over the city of Deir Hafer in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.”
It added that army forces are working to secure the city and clear it of landmines and war remnants.
Advance in Maskanah
The command noted that forces have now begun moving toward the neighboring areas of Maskanah and Dibsi Afnan, west of the Euphrates.
Later, the command announced that its forces have expanded control over an area extending approximately 10 kilometers east of Deir Hafer city.
In a statement to SANA, the command said that army units took control of Al-Jarrah Military Airport and secured 14 villages and towns east of Deir Hafer, while facilitating the withdrawal of more than 200 SDF members with their weapons.
Earlier on Saturday, the Syrian army announced that its forces had begun entering areas west of the Euphrates, starting with Deir Hafer.
SDF Says Syrian Army Violated Deal
Commenting on the developments, the SDF’s Media Center said on its X account that the forces belonging to the government in Damascus violated the terms of an internationally sponsored agreement, by entering Deir Hafer and Maskana before the full withdrawal of their militants.
The SDF called upon the international powers sponsoring the agreement to “intervene urgently to ensure its implementation and prevent further escalation.”
Statement to the Public
— Syrian Democratic Forces (@SDF_Syria) January 17, 2026
Based on the internationally sponsored agreement, it was agreed that the Damascus government forces would enter the towns of Deir Hafer and Maskana, east of Aleppo, after our forces completed their withdrawal. However, Damascus violated the terms of the…
Source: Agencies (translated and edited by Al-Manar)