Syrian Army Enters Deir Hafer 2026: Kurdish Pullback and the Al-Sharaa Decree

The geopolitical map of Northern Syria is shifting once again. Syrian army units have moved into Deir Hafer, a strategic town east of Aleppo, following a planned withdrawal by Kurdish forces. This maneuver follows a landmark political concession from Damascus that marks a turning point in Syrian history.

Syrian Army Enters Deir Hafer Following SDF Withdrawal

According to the state news agency Sana, the military established "full military control" over Deir Hafer, located about 50km from Aleppo. The move comes after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced a redeployment east of the Euphrates river. Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi agreed to the pullback after intensive mediation by friendly countries and the United States.

While the military is busy clearing the area of mines, humanitarian concerns persist. Authorities reported that at least 4,000 civilians fled the area in recent days. US special envoy Tom Barrack is scheduled to meet with Mazloum Abdi in Erbil later this Saturday to discuss the next steps of the redeployment.

A Historic Shift: Kurdish Recognized as National Language

President Ahmed al-Sharaa has coupled military expansion with a major olive branch. On Friday, he issued a decree making Kurdish a national language and recognizing the Kurdish New Year as an official holiday. It's the first formal recognition of Kurdish national rights since 1946.

The decree states that Kurds are an "essential and integral part" of Syria. This policy aims to reverse decades of systemic oppression experienced under previous regimes, including that of Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in late 2024. The goal is the total integration of Kurdish military and civilian bodies into national institutions.

Fragile Peace and Lingering Distrust

Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, the situation on the ground remains volatile. The SDF called the decree a "first step" but remains skeptical, demanding a permanent constitution rather than temporary decrees. Accusations of bad faith are flying from both sides.

The Syrian army reported that two of its soldiers were killed by Kurdish fire during the advance. Conversely, the SDF accused Damascus of moving troops in ahead of the agreed schedule. Although an integration deal was signed in March 2025, its implementation has been stalled for nearly a year.