Recent days have seen heightened security tensions across Syria, stretching from Aleppo to Al-Hasakah. Today, Damascus announced a new understanding regarding the integration of Al-Hasakah and the military and security institutions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This includes a ceasefire agreement lasting four days, during which the SDF will develop a detailed plan for the integration mechanism.
In the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo, mutual accusations of violating previous security understandings emerged between Damascus and the SDF on January 7th. These accusations were accompanied by exchanges of fire that resulted in civilian casualties and the displacement of thousands. The Syrian government subsequently opened safe evacuation routes for those fleeing the violence.
The fighting, which lasted approximately five days, concluded with the complete withdrawal of the SDF from the two neighborhoods on January 11th, towards areas under their control in northeastern Syria. Specifically, the SDF had been targeting Aleppo from the Deir Hafer region, an action deemed unacceptable by the Syrian government.
The question remains: how did events unfold leading to today’s agreement, especially given the SDF’s previous reluctance to implement the March 10th agreement?
On the evening of January 16th, SDF leader Mazloum Abdi announced the withdrawal of his forces from the current contact lines east of Aleppo, effective at 7:00 AM the following day. The forces were to redeploy to areas east of the Euphrates. The Syrian Ministry of Defense welcomed this move.
Abdi stated that the decision was made in response to calls from mediators and nations described as “friendly,” and as a gesture of goodwill in implementing the March 10th agreement with the Syrian government. His announcement came hours after the Syrian Army reported targeting SDF positions from which suicide drones had been launched towards Aleppo. The army later announced a halt to the shelling following the start of the withdrawal and the securing of the fighters’ exit without further combat.
This also followed a decree issued by Syrian President Ahmed al-Share granting Syrian citizenship to Syrian Kurds and recognizing their cultural and civil rights.
On Saturday, January 17th, at 7:00 AM, the SDF began its withdrawal towards the east of the Euphrates, starting from the Deir Hafer region, which was subsequently taken over by the Syrian Army. The next 96 hours will be critical in determining the long-term stability of the region. DZWatch will continue to monitor the situation closely.
