Syria: civilians leave as army presses Kurdish-held area
Civilians have been departing a Kurdish-controlled region of northern Syria after government forces issued an evacuation order ahead of a broader advance, raising concerns about increased tensions, according to Arab Weekly plus agencies on January 16th.
Syrian army units have deployed their forces in Deir Hafer, around 50 kilometres east of Aleppo, and instructed the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to pull back from territory which is located between this area the Euphrates River. Residents were given until 5pm (1400 GMT) on January 16th to depart, prompting families to use secondary roads to seek safety.
Some people were seen crossing an unstable bridge to cross over a branch of the Euphrates. A reception centre established in Aleppo is reportedly the desired destination for some of those fleeing the zone.
US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said he was working continuously to prevent clashes between government troops and Kurdish fighters. Both parties have maintained varying degrees of cooperation with the United States over the years. His remark reflects ongoing concern that the standoff could escalate despite diplomatic engagement.
According to 60-year-old Abu Mohammad, Kurdish forces had limited access to main roads, forcing residents to pursue more difficult paths as they left. Syrian officials have also made this claim; but the SDF denied restricting civilian movement.
The turn of events follow an agreement which was reached with Damascus, under which Kurdish forces withdrew from parts of Aleppo, in April last year.
Government forces completed their takeover of Aleppo on January 11th after capturing two predominantly Kurdish areas, part of Damascus’s push to reassert control over urban areas since the departure of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Despite these changes, the SDF continues to hold large parts of Syria’s oil-rich north and northeast, areas it secured during the civil war and in the campaign against the Islamic State group. The evolving balance between Damascus and Kurdish authorities remains complex and at times tense, with implications beyond Syria’s borders, as highlighted within the ongoing Syrian and Kurdish tensions in Iraqi Kurdistan.
As the situation develops, questions about Kurdish political influence continue to shape discussions about the country’s post-Assad future.
Arab Weekly plus agencies, Maghrebi.org
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