Syrian troops seize Deir Hafer following Kurdish pull‑back Syrian army units entered Deir Hafer, about 50 km from Aleppo, and announced full military control after Kurdish‑led forces withdrew east of the Euphrates, a move linked to recent talks with U.S. officials[1]. The advance came amid reports of intensified government buil‑downs near the town and a broader push to consolidate authority in the Aleppo province[2]. Kurdish fighters and civilians were urged to relocate, with authorities reporting at least 4,000 residents fleeing the area[1].

Kurdish SDF redeploys east of the Euphrates after U.S. mediation Mazloum Abdi, commander of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, agreed to pull his forces east of the river, a decision framed as part of negotiations with U.S. special envoy Tom Barrack in Erbil[1]. The Syrian government simultaneously called on the SDF and other armed groups to withdraw from the contested zone, positioning the redeployment as a prelude to possible offensives in Deir Hafer and Maskana[2]. Turkish drone strikes were reported in the vicinity, adding a regional dimension to the shifting frontlines[2].

President al‑Sharaa issues Kurdish language decree On the same day, President Ahmed al‑Sharaa signed a decree elevating Kurdish to a national language and recognizing the Kurdish New Year as an official holiday, describing Kurds as an “essential and integral part of Syria”[1]. The Kurdish administration hailed the decree as a first step but demanded a permanent constitution that reflects the will of the people, warning that temporary measures are insufficient[1]. The announcement coincided with the military shift, suggesting a political‑military coordination between Damascus and Kurdish leaders.

Humanitarian corridor opened to evacuate civilians Two days earlier, the Syrian army announced a civilian corridor operating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, allowing residents to move east of the Euphrates and avoid the fighting zone[2]. The corridor was presented as a humanitarian measure ahead of potential operations, while recent clashes in Aleppo province had killed at least 23 people and displaced tens of thousands[2]. U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and protect civilians amid the escalating tension[2].

International reactions underscore diplomatic strain The United States called for restraint and a return to negotiations, emphasizing civilian protection and infrastructure safety[2]. Turkey, viewing the SDF as linked to the PKK, continued drone strikes, reflecting its opposition to Kurdish advances[2]. Stalled talks between Damascus and the SDF over integration, border control, and oil fields remain unresolved, complicating any durable settlement[2].