The Syrian army announced on Saturday that it had taken control of strategic areas east of Aleppo, following an agreement for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to withdraw behind the Euphrat es River. Kurdish officials, however, accused government troops of violating the deal, saying fighting has continued in several locations.
According to statements broadcast on state media, government forces seized control of 34 towns and villages, including Deir Hafir and Maskana, as well as a military airbase. The SDF said Syrian troops entered the areas before the agreed 48-hour withdrawal period had expired and attacked their fighters.
Clashes have reportedly continued around Maskana, with both sides blaming each other for breaches of the ceasefire. Analysts warn that the situation remains volatile and could escalate if diplomatic channels fail.
The SDF, backed by the United States, played a leading role in the fight against the Islamic State and control large parts of northeastern Syria rich in oil and gas resources. Their position makes them a key actor in any future political settlement.
At the same time, Damascus moved to address Kurdish demands politically. Interim President Ahmad Shara issued a decree recognizing Kurdish rights for the first time since Syria’s independence in 1946, including the use of the Kurdish language in public schools. Kurdish authorities welcomed the symbolism but said lasting guarantees must be enshrined in the constitution rather than temporary decrees.
The developments east of Aleppo highlight the fragile balance between military advances and political concessions in a country still struggling to emerge from more than a decade of war.