Syrian Government Forces Enter Northern Towns Amid Kurdish Evacuations

Government Forces Gain Ground

On January 17, 2026, the Syrian government announced that its military forces had entered the northern towns of Deir Hafer and Maskana. This incursion follows the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) command’s decision to withdraw from the area in a bid to prevent further conflict. State media reported that two soldiers were killed and several others were injured in the latest clashes.

Military vehicles, including tanks and armored personnel carriers, were observed entering Deir Hafer after bulldozers dismantled barriers. With the SDF’s presence reportedly absent on the outskirts of the town, the Syrian military claimed full control over Deir Hafer and the adjacent Jarrah air base, and stated that operations to clear mines and explosives were ongoing.

Background of Recent Clashes

The tensions escalated earlier this month with violent confrontations between government troops and the U.S.-backed SDF in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city. Following these events, Kurdish fighters evacuated three neighborhoods that had been captured by government forces. More than 11,000 individuals fled Deir Hafer and Maskana within the past two days, seeking refuge in government-controlled areas, as a government offensive to reclaim these towns began.

Terms of Withdrawal

The SDF released a statement asserting that an agreement was in place, allowing Syrian forces to enter Deir Hafer and Maskana only after their fighters had completed their withdrawal. The statement described the Syrian government’s premature entrance as a violation of this agreement, which has raised concerns about the potential for dangerous repercussions.

U.S. Involvement and Kurdish Rights

In a related development, U.S. military officials visited Deir Hafer to engage in discussions with local SDF leaders just prior to the troop movements. The U.S. has maintained positive relations with both the Syrian government and Kurdish forces and has expressed a desire for calm in the region.

The SDF’s decision to withdraw from Deir Hafer coincided with a decree issued by Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The decree aims to enhance the rights of Kurds, who constitute about 10% of Syria’s 23 million population. The decree officially recognizes Kurdish as a national language alongside Arabic and marks the Newroz festival-a significant celebration for Kurdish communities-as an official holiday.

Despite these advancements, the Kurdish-led authority in northeastern Syria contends that such rights should be enshrined in the country’s constitution rather than depend on “temporary decrees,” arguing that decrees do not secure genuine rights for Syria’s ethnic groups.

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