Al-Akhbar has further detail about the displacement of Kurds by the al-Sharaa government.
Eastern Aleppo on Edge as Damascus Targets Kurdish Forces
After three days of calm following the ceasefire in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods of Aleppo, the new de facto Syrian Army announced that the towns of Dayr Hafir and Maskanah in the eastern Aleppo countryside have been declared closed military zones. The announcement came with images from inside Dayr Hafir, showing government forces calling on civilians to leave the area- scenes reminiscent of the events that preceded the takeover of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah and the expulsion of Kurdish fighters.
The move followed accusations by the de facto government that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were mobilizing fighters in Dayr Hafir. The SDF quickly denied the claim. Against this backdrop, assessments suggest Damascus is preparing a broader operation to remove Kurdish forces from all areas they control west of the Euphrates River.
After the collapse of the previous regime, the SDF took control of Dayr Hafir, Maskanah, and parts of al-Khafsa countryside in eastern Aleppo. These areas link SDF positions near the Tishrin Dam with their strongholds in Raqqa countryside and the city of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani). Together, they form a strategic belt around the Tishrin Dam and the Qara Kozak Bridge, Key crossing separating eastern from western Euphrates.
Reinforcements from Damascus were dispatched to contact lines with the SDF, signaling preparations for a ground assault to seize both towns and impose a siege around the Tishrin Dam in Manbij countryside.
On the ground, government drones and artillery launched preparatory strikes on SDF-held positions in Dayr Hafir. The SDF responded by shelling several sites in al-Khafsa area and near Qweiris military Airport, where forces affiliated with Damascus are stationed. At the same time, reinforcements from Damascus were dispatched to contact lines with the SDF, signaling preparations for a ground assault to seize both towns and impose a siege around the Tishrin Dam in Manbij countryside. Such a move would increase pressure on the SDF and potentially force political or military concessions.
Along this trajectory, Damascus is likely to frame the escalation by accusing the SDF of planning attacks on Aleppo or threatening the city through drones and artillery- claims that have circulated repeatedly over recent months. Previous exchanges of fire along these lines have resulted in dozens of civilian and military casualties on both sides.
A Kurdish source told Al-Akhbar: “The Syrian government, in coordination with Turkish intelligence, may resort to staging provocative actions in Aleppo or its countryside, and then blame the SDF to justify new attacks.” The source added: “The government, which is mobilizing its factions along the Dayr Hafir front, is conducting daily drills in Deir ez-Zor, a sign of field preparations for a broad escalation against SDF areas.” The source stressed: “We continue communication with the US to reduce tensions and return to the negotiating track, which the SDF remains committed to,” and noted that the Autonomous Administration is also “collecting records of violations committed by factions affiliated with the Ministry of Defense.”
The Damascus army claimed that recent SDF reinforcements included members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and remnants of the former regime. The authority described the situation as a “serious escalation” and warned that any military action would face “a violent response”.
The SDF, in turn, warned against “attempts at misinformation and dragging the region toward escalation”. It held the de facto Damascus government responsible for “any potential consequences”. While reaffirming its commitment to de-escalation, it stressed that it would retain its “legitimate right” to defend the area and protect civilians.
Elham Ahmed, co-chair of foreign relations for the Autonomous Administration, placed primary responsibility for the failure to implement the March 10 agreement on the Damascus Authorities. She accused government-aligned factions of committing “horrific violations” during the assault on Ashrafiyah and Sheikh Maqsoud, alleging the participation of ISIS members, Uyghur fighters, Turkish-linked groups, and other foreign combatants. Ahmed warned that such actions undermine international efforts to lift sanctions on Syria and called on the US government to clarify its position toward a government she said is committing massacres against its own people.
In related remarks, SDF General Commander Sipan Hamo spoke in media interviews about a meeting held earlier this month in Damascus. He said: “We were about to sign an agreement when a senior government diplomat intervened.” According to Hamo, the diplomat asked the defense minister and the intelligence chief to leave the room, after which the SDF delegation was informed that the agreement would not be signed at that time and that another meeting would be held on the ninth of this month, where an agreement could be reached. Hamo said the attack on Sheikh Maqsoud followed immediately, arguing that it was intended to provoke the SDF and “drag the entire region into war, with support from external parties”.