The United States has urged the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to withdraw their fighters from parts of the eastern Aleppo countryside. This request follows escalating tensions between the SDF and Syrian government forces, which have recently resumed military operations in the region. The SDF has rejected the request, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Clashes have intensified near Dayr Hafir, where the SDF maintains its last significant foothold on the western bank of the Euphrates River. These confrontations represent a marked increase in hostilities after a prolonged period of relative calm. Earlier this month, Syrian government forces initiated an operation aimed at expelling SDF-linked internal security units from the neighborhoods of al-Ashrafiyah and Sheikh Maqsoud. The government accused these units of targeting civilians with sniper and mortar fire.
A ceasefire agreement, brokered by local mediators, allowed numerous Kurdish fighters to evacuate from the area, facilitating the return of residents to their homes. However, several regional sources have indicated that the Syrian operation in Aleppo was carried out with approval from Washington. A source stated, “US authorities also asked the SDF to withdraw its forces from the western bank of the Euphrates.”
In a recent online post, Tom Barrack, the US envoy for Syria, emphasized that the United States remains in close contact with all parties in Syria to prevent further escalation. The ongoing military actions have strained relations between the SDF and the Syrian government, which have been attempting to finalize an implementation plan for a recent agreement aimed at integrating Kurdish-led forces into the Syrian military.
In televised remarks, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa accused SDF leaders of failing to honor the agreement, alleging that their decision-making is influenced by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is based in Iraq’s Qandil Mountains. Ilham Ahmed, a senior SDF official responsible for foreign affairs, countered that the government’s claims regarding the non-implementation of the agreement on March 10, 2024 are incorrect, asserting that international parties are aware of the SDF’s compliance.
During an online press conference, Ahmed stated that the SDF has been in communication with both the United States and Turkey, presenting multiple initiatives for de-escalation while awaiting their responses. Meanwhile, another source reported that the SDF formally rejected a US proposal to withdraw from Dayr Hafir.
In an effort to alleviate civilian suffering, Syrian forces opened several evacuation routes on Thursday, enabling civilians to leave the conflict zone. However, reports indicate that the SDF obstructed these exits. A US military delegation visited Dayr Hafir to engage with local residents and was expected to urge the SDF to permit civilian evacuations.
The Syrian military, in a statement broadcast by state television, declared that “the doors remain open” for Syrian fighters, both Kurdish and Arab, who wish to defect from the SDF and rejoin the Syrian army. The statement emphasized the government’s welcoming stance for defectors, while also denouncing the PKK and remnants of the former regime as threats to Syria’s social fabric.
On Friday, the Ministry of Defence reported that several SDF fighters had surrendered and defected at the Dayr Hafir front. A Syrian government source revealed that the army is preparing for a broader operation aimed at clearing SDF positions from the area. The SDF and US authorities have been contacted for further comment on these developments.
