Tensions are rising in eastern Aleppo as the Syrian Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) trade accusations over recent events. The Syrian Army has declared the Maskanah and Deir Hafer regions in the eastern Aleppo countryside a closed military zone, demanding that armed groups withdraw east of the Euphrates River.
The Syrian Army released a map delineating the areas from which withdrawal is demanded in red, including the towns of Maskanah, Babiri, Qawas, and Deir Hafer, located between the west bank of the Euphrates River and the eastern edge of Aleppo. Civilians have been urged to stay away from SDF positions within this zone.
This move follows accusations from the Syrian government that the SDF has been sending reinforcements to Deir Hafer, a town less than 50 kilometers east of Aleppo. Syrian authorities have also announced the deployment of reinforcements to the Deir Hafer area.
In response, the SDF issued a statement claiming that government forces had begun “targeting the town of Deir Hafer with artillery fire,” while denying that any reinforcements were sent to the region.
According to political analyst Hassan al-Dughaim, the Syrian government is within its rights to assert control over all Syrian territory. He stated that the decision to declare the closed military zone comes after a long period of patience and after the expiration of the deadline for implementing the March 10th agreement between the government and the SDF.
Al-Dughaim accused the SDF of stalling on the implementation of the March 10th agreement, saying they “only offer sweet talk, while on the ground they do the opposite of what they say.” He also alleged that the SDF had agreed with the government to fight remnants of the ousted regime, but are now seeking refuge with them and gathering in Maskanah and Deir Hafer.
Conversely, political analyst Khaled Jabr stated that the SDF is exercising restraint and opening the door for national dialogue, but that “the government is directly provoking them on the contact lines.” Jabr claimed that the Syrian Army is targeting the Kurdish population in Aleppo with all types of weapons and emphasized that “advancing towards SDF areas is not a picnic for government forces.” He further commented on the March 10th agreement, suggesting…
