SYRIAN ARMY UNITS ENTER DEIR HAFIR, ALEPPO, AMID WITHDRAWAL OF SDF

Sat 17 January 2026:

The Syrian Army on Saturday announced that its units have begun entering areas west of the Euphrates River, starting with the city of Deir Hafir east of Aleppo, amid the withdrawal of the YPG/SDF terror group.

The Operations Command of the Syrian Arab Army said: “Advance units of the Syrian Arab Army have begun entering the area west of the Euphrates, starting with the city of Deir Hafir,” according to Al-Ikhbariya TV.

Earlier, the army urged civilians not to enter designated military operation zones in the area until they are fully secured and cleared of landmines and war remnants, citing safety concerns.

The move comes as Ferhat Abdi Sahin, a ringleader of the YPG/SDF terror group targeted by the army’s military operation west of the Euphrates, claimed that terror elements would withdraw to regions east of the river starting 7 am local time (0400GMT).

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Syrian army claims to have gained full control of Maskana

The Syrian Arab Army Operations Authority has announced that it has taken full control of Maskana, and forces have begun heading towards the town of Dibsi Afnan, according to SANA state news agency.

The authority noted that “hundreds” of SDF members had surrendered to the army.

“The army has taken control of 34 villages and towns in the eastern Aleppo countryside, while securing the exit of more than 200 SDF members with their weapons,” the authority said.

It also called on residents not to enter areas in the eastern Aleppo countryside until the army has finished securing them and removing mines and war remnants.

Minister says decree on Syrian Kurds important step towards strengthening citizenship

Syria’s minister of social affairs and labour has said the president’s decree on Syrian Kurdish rights guarantees the restoration of Syrian Kurds’ right to preserve their cultural and national identity.

In a statement, Hind Kabawat said the decree was a significant step towards strengthening equal citizenship, eliminating forms of discrimination, protecting the legitimate rights of all citizens and building an inclusive national identity based on rights and duties.

Kabawat stresses Kurds constitute a genuine and inseparable part of Syria’s national identity, according to state media.

Syria’s defence minister urges troops to remain ‘model of discipline’, prevent abuses

Syria’s Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra has urged troops to be “vigilant in not allowing any transgression or abuse against any human being, regardless of their nationality or affiliation”.

In a post on X, the minister addressed soldiers of the Syrian army, calling on them to remain “a model of discipline and commitment”.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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