What's happened
Syrian government forces have begun entering Deir Hafer following a planned Kurdish SDF withdrawal, with the Syrian army deploying reinforcements and urging civilians to evacuate. Kurdish forces are relocating east of the Euphrates, amid ongoing negotiations and recent declarations of Kurdish language recognition.
What's behind the headline?
The Syrian army's entry into Deir Hafer signals a strategic shift, consolidating government control over key regions following Kurdish withdrawals. This move is likely to intensify tensions between Kurdish forces and the Syrian government, with potential implications for regional stability. The Kurdish declaration of Kurdish as a national language is a notable political gesture, possibly aimed at easing tensions and gaining legitimacy, but it does little to alter the ongoing power struggle. The US's support for Kurdish autonomy and calls for peaceful negotiations suggest a complex diplomatic landscape. The next phase will see whether the Syrian government consolidates control or faces renewed resistance, with the Kurdish forces repositioning east of the Euphrates as a defensive measure. This development underscores the fragile balance of power in northern Syria and foreshadows continued conflict or potential negotiations for autonomy.
What the papers say
France 24 reports that the Syrian army has begun entering Deir Hafer after Kurdish forces agreed to withdraw, with the military urging civilians to evacuate and clear mines. The article highlights the deployment of Syrian reinforcements and the recent declaration of Kurdish as a national language by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, marking a symbolic gesture of recognition. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera details the Kurdish-led SDF's planned withdrawal, supported by the Syrian Ministry of Defence, and notes ongoing US efforts to promote diplomatic solutions. Both sources emphasize the strategic importance of Deir Hafer and the broader regional implications of Kurdish-Syrian government negotiations, with Al Jazeera providing additional context on the US's role and previous military tensions.
How we got here
The recent military movements follow a Kurdish-led SDF announcement to withdraw from areas east of Aleppo, responding to international calls and mediators. The Syrian government aims to extend its authority and has made symbolic gestures, such as declaring Kurdish a national language, amid stalled efforts to integrate Kurdish autonomous administration into the state. Kurdish forces control significant parts of Syria's oil-rich north, captured during the civil war and fight against ISIS.
Go deeper
Common question
-
What’s happening in Deir Hafer and why are Syrian forces entering?
Recent military movements in Syria have raised many questions about the ongoing conflict, regional stability, and the roles of various forces. Syrian government troops have entered Deir Hafer amid Kurdish withdrawals, sparking concerns about territorial control and civilian safety. Understanding the background and implications of these developments can help clarify what’s really happening in this volatile region. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about the conflict and its broader impact.
More on these topics
-
The Euphrates is the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia. Together with the Tigris, it is one of the two defining rivers of Mesopotamia.
-
The Syrian Armed Forces (Arabic: القُوَّاتُ المُسَلَّحَةُ السُورِيَّةُ, romanized: al-Quwwāt al-Musallaḥah as-Sūrīyah) are the military forces of Syria. They consist of the Syrian Army, Syrian Air Force and Syrian N
-
Ferhat Abdi Şahin, better known by his nom de guerre Mazloum Abdi and his previous nom de guerre Şahin Cilo, is a Syrian Kurdish military leader, serving as the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces.
-
The Syrian Democratic Forces is an alliance in the Syrian Civil War composed primarily of Kurdish, Arab, and Assyrian/Syriac militias, as well as some smaller Armenian, Turkmen and Chechen forces.