Syrian government forces seized Deir Hafer and adjacent areas in eastern Aleppo on January 17, 2026, capping intense clashes with a mediated SDF withdrawal.
Clashes erupted January 14 as Syrian troops launched drone and artillery strikes on SDF positions near Deir Hafer, prompting Kurdish counterattacks with suicide drones. The Syrian Arab Army's operations command announced full control of Deir Hafer, al-Jarrah airbase, and 14 surrounding villages/towns—now declared closed military zones—while clearing mines and pushing toward Maskana. Over 200 SDF fighters withdrew with weapons via negotiated exits, according to army statements.
Earlier Aleppo fighting (Jan 6-15) killed around 20-30 combatants and 12-20 civilians, including eight at Othman Hospital from shelling. This included at least five Syrian government soldiers and one Kurdish/SDF fighter. Pressure from the fighting led to US-Russian mediation: SDF commander Mazloum Abdi ordered pullback east of the Euphrates on January 16 as "goodwill" for integration talks, evacuating 4,000 civilians first.
