Syrian Army Declares Closed Military Zone Near Euphrates as Clashes with Kurdish Forces Intensify
Syrian government forces moved military reinforcements east of Aleppo on Wednesday after declaring large areas west of the Euphrates River a closed military zone, ordering Kurdish-led forces to withdraw following deadly clashes that have displaced tens of thousands of civilians.
According to local sources, Syrian state television published an army statement accompanied by a map showing the area east of Aleppo city, including zones near Deir Hafer, designated as a restricted military area. The army said all armed groups must immediately withdraw east of the Euphrates, warning it would take necessary measures to prevent the area from being used for attacks.
According to Syrian and regional media, the decision followed an escalation in hostilities, including drone attacks on Aleppo and the explosion of a strategic bridge in the village of Umm Tineh, which had separated government-held territory from areas controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
State news agency SANA reported that military reinforcements were arriving from the coastal province of Latakia and the Damascus region. A military source said government artillery targeted SDF positions near Deir Hafer, while limited overnight skirmishes were reported by both sides.
The Syrian government accused the SDF and its YPG component, along with PKK-linked elements, of using areas west of the Euphrates as operational bases. The SDF denied building up forces and accused government troops of initiating attacks.
The violence follows Syria’s recent reassertion of control over Aleppo city, including the Kurdish-majority Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported at least 45 civilians and 60 soldiers and fighters killed in the clashes, while Aleppo civil defense officials said dozens of bodies were recovered from affected districts.
Official figures cited by Syrian media indicate that at least 24 people were killed, nearly 130 wounded, and around 165,000 residents displaced by the fighting.
The United States called on all parties to avoid further escalation and urged a diplomatic solution. The clashes have raised doubts about a March agreement aimed at integrating Kurdish forces into state institutions, as protests erupted in Kurdish-held areas and regional tensions involving Türkiye and the PKK resurfaced.
