Syrian army troops have moved into areas east of Aleppo city following the withdrawal of Kurdish forces. The Syrian army was observed entering Deir Hafer, a town approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Aleppo, according to reports.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish militia, announced on Friday that it would redeploy east of the Euphrates river. This decision followed discussions with U.S. officials and a pledge from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to recognize Kurdish as a national language.
In a statement released to the state-run news agency Sana, the Syrian army stated that its forces "began entering the western Euphrates area" and declared it had established "full military control" of Deir Hafer. The military also issued a warning to civilians, urging them to avoid entering the operations area until it is secured and cleared of mines and war remnants. Images have surfaced showing Syrian forces, including tanks, advancing towards the area.
The redeployment of Kurdish forces and subsequent movement of Syrian troops comes after deadly clashes last week, prompting the U.S. to urge both sides to avoid further confrontation. President al-Sharaa is reportedly seeking to integrate Kurdish military and civilian bodies into Syrian national institutions. The U.S. has been involved in mediating discussions between the Syrian government and Kurdish groups in an effort to de-escalate tensions and promote stability in the region. The Syrian government views the integration of Kurdish elements as a step towards national unity, while Kurdish groups seek guarantees regarding their cultural and political rights within Syria.
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