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53m ago

Syria Launches Strikes Near Deir Hafer as SDF Moves to Withdraw East of the Euphrates

A stalled plan to fold the SDF into state institutions has given way to military pressure that outside mediators are trying to halt.

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Members of the Syrian army stand together, as Syrian state agency, SANA, reported on Wednesday that the Syrian army sent reinforcements from Latakia to "Deir Hafer front", amid escalating tensions and threats from the Syrian government to launch an offensive against Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Latakia, Syria, January 14, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri
Members of the Syrian army stand on a military vehicle, as Syrian state agency, SANA, reported on Wednesday that the Syrian army sent reinforcements from Latakia to "Deir Hafer front", amid escalating tensions and threats from the Syrian government to launch an offensive against Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Latakia, Syria, January 14, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri
A displaced Syrian family rides in the back of a truck near a humanitarian crossing declared by the Syrian army next to a river in the village of Rasm Al-Abboud, in the eastern Aleppo countryside, near the front line with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Deir Hafer, Syria, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)

Overview

  • The Syrian military said it began retaliatory operations near Deir Hafer targeting facilities it linked to SDF and PKK elements after accusing Kurdish forces of drone attacks in Aleppo.
  • SDF commander Mazloum Abdi announced his forces will pull back from contested lines east of Aleppo and redeploy east of the Euphrates at mediators’ request to show good faith on the March integration deal.
  • An army-declared evacuation corridor ran on Thursday with limited hours as some civilians fled by side roads or on foot; officials accused the SDF of blocking the main route, which the SDF denied.
  • Reuters reported major Syrian reinforcements and plans for a possible wider offensive, including deployments toward Deir el-Zor, while a U.S. convoy was seen near Deir Hafer and U.S. envoys urged restraint and a return to talks.
  • Turkey’s foreign minister said the use of force by Damascus remains an option and urged an SDF pullout, as the Kurdish-led administration warned that escalation could jeopardize ISIS detention sites and key infrastructure.