Syrian Army Aleppo Control: 34 Towns Seized After SDF Withdrawal
On January 17, 2026, the Syrian army seized 34 towns in eastern Aleppo following an SDF withdrawal agreement. Explore the military shift and President al-Sharaa's new decree on Kurdish rights.
34 towns changed hands in a single day as the Syrian military marches east. January 17, 2026, marked a significant shift in northern Syria as the Syrian army moved to fill the vacuum left by the withdrawing Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). It's a bold move by the post-Assad government to reassert central authority over the strategic Aleppo governorate.
Syrian Army Aleppo Control: A Strategic March East
According to statements from the Syrian military, government forces have taken control of key locations including Deir Hafer and Maskana. The army confirmed it secured a military airport and successfully managed the exit of over 200 SDF fighters and their equipment. However, the transition hasn't been entirely peaceful. The army accused the SDF of targeting a patrol, resulting in two soldiers killed near Maskana.
The SDF counters these claims, alleging that the military entered towns before their withdrawal was complete, creating a "highly dangerous situation." Despite the tension, Al Jazeera reports that celebrations broke out in Deir Hafer as civilians began returning to their homes, braving rainy weather and roadblocks.
Recognition of Kurdish Rights Amid Tensions
Just a day before this advance, President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a landmark decree. For the first time since Syria's independence in 1946, Kurdish has been recognized as a "national language." The decree also grants nationality to all Kurds, rectifying a controversial 1962 census that had stripped 20% of the community of their citizenship.
While the SDF leader Mazloum Abdi agreed to the redeployment east of the Euphrates following international mediation, the Kurdish administration warns that these decrees aren't enough. They're calling for decentralization and permanent constitutional protections rather than temporary executive orders.
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