The United States has called for the withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from parts of eastern Aleppo, but the Kurdish-led group has rejected this request, according to regional sources. Tensions have escalated in the area, particularly near Dayr Hafir, where SDF forces and Syrian government troops have engaged in shelling. This resurgence of violence marks a significant departure from the recent months of relative calm.
Following a ceasefire that lasted several months, Syrian government forces initiated an operation earlier in March 2024 to remove SDF-affiliated internal security units from Aleppo’s al-Ashrafiyah and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods. The government accused these units of targeting civilians with sniper and mortar fire. A deal facilitated by local mediators enabled dozens of Kurdish fighters to evacuate the area, resulting in some residents returning to their homes.
Sources indicate that the operation in Aleppo was conducted with approval from Washington. “US authorities also asked the SDF to withdraw its forces from the western bank of the Euphrates,” one source stated. Tom Barrack, the US envoy for Syria, emphasized the importance of maintaining communication with all parties to prevent further escalation in the region.
The operation has further complicated relations between Damascus and the SDF, which have been attempting to finalize an implementation plan for a recent agreement. This agreement calls for the integration of Kurdish-led forces into the Syrian military. In a televised statement, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa accused SDF leaders of failing to comply with the March 10 agreement, asserting that their decision-making is influenced by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leadership based in Iraq.
Ilham Ahmed, the SDF’s representative for foreign affairs, responded to these claims, stating that the assertion of non-compliance with the agreement is incorrect and affirmed that international parties are aware of the SDF’s position. During an online press conference, Ahmed mentioned ongoing communication with the US and Turkey, highlighting several initiatives for de-escalation while noting that recent events in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah were a result of international understandings.
On March 15, the SDF formally rejected a US proposal to withdraw from Dayr Hafir. Meanwhile, Syrian forces established multiple evacuation routes to facilitate civilian departures from the area, but sources indicate that the SDF obstructed these exits. A US military delegation visited Dayr Hafir to meet with local residents and was expected to encourage the SDF to permit civilian evacuations.
The Syrian military stated through state television that “the doors remain open” for Syrian fighters, both Kurdish and Arab, who wish to defect from the SDF and rejoin the Syrian army. The statement emphasized that “the homeland welcomes their return at any time and place,” while also calling attention to what it described as the ongoing threat posed by PKK-affiliated militias and remnants of the previous regime.
Reports indicate that several SDF fighters have already laid down their arms and defected at the Dayr Hafir front. A Syrian government source informed regional media that preparations for a broader operation aimed at clearing SDF positions from the area are underway.
As the situation continues to evolve, MEE has reached out to the SDF and US authorities for further comments on these developments. The ongoing conflict remains a complex issue, influenced by both local and international dynamics, with significant implications for the stability of the region.
