Syria's Kurdish outreach masks plans for new offensive against SDF in Aleppo - analysis
Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa “affirmed that the injustices witnessed in Syria during the decades of the deposed regime’s rule affected all segments of the Syrian population without exception.”
A member of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard as Syrian Kurds attend a protest in solidarity with people in Sweida, on July 17, 2025.(photo credit: REUTERS/Orhan Qereman)
JANUARY 15, 2026JERUSALEM POST
Syria’s transitional government is trying to do outreach to Kurds as it appears to prepare a new offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces.
The SDF is backed by the US and is composed mostly of Kurds, controlling eastern Syria.
Syrian security forces recently ejected Kurdish fighters from two neighborhoods in Aleppo, raising concerns about Damascus abusing the rights of Kurds. US officials, who back the new Syrian government, are concerned about attacks on the SDF.
Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa “affirmed that the injustices witnessed in Syria during the decades of the deposed regime’s rule affected all segments of the Syrian population without exception,” Syrian state media said on Wednesday.
“The President stressed that the post-liberation period represents a new beginning based on equal citizenship, the rule of law, and the building of state institutions. This ensures the constitutional rights of all Syrians, preserves the unity of Syrian territory, and strengthens stability and development.”
Security forces affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior stand guard in the Ashrafieh neighbourhood, which they have taken control of, according to the Interior Ministry, following battles with the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Aleppo, Syria, January 9, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/Karam al-Masri TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
At the same time, Shara’a is conducting an outreach to build support in the region. He spoke to the Emir of Qatar this week.
Meanwhile, Damascus is also trying to show that Kurds displaced from Aleppo in the fighting are returning. “The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that thousands of displaced residents have begun returning to their homes in the Aleppo neighborhoods of Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud, following weeks of displacement caused by clashes between the Syrian Arab Army and the SDF organization,” SANA noted.
Syria plans SDF offensive while engaging Kurds for support
Now, Syria is preparing the ground for a new offensive. Syrian state media SANA noted that “the Syrian Arab Army’s Operations Command announced on Wednesday the opening of a humanitarian corridor toward Aleppo city, saying the passage will be opened on Thursday via Hmemeh village on the M15 main road linking Deir Hafer with Aleppo.”
Syrian officials said, “We draw the attention of our people residing in the previously specified eastern Aleppo area, identified via the screens and platforms of al-Ikhbariyah channel, that a humanitarian corridor will be opened tomorrow toward Aleppo city.” The concept of a humanitarian corridor appears to be one of several messaging themes that Syria has borrowed from Israel’s war in Gaza.
Syria has begun to send reinforcements to the Dayr Hafir front near the Euphrates, as the country is opening, saying that it is fighting against “SDF elements, PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] terrorist militants, and remnants of the deposed regime.”
SANA said, “On Tuesday, the Army’s Operations Command declared Deir Hafer and Maskanah, located on the western bank of the Euphrates, a closed military zone due to continued mobilization by SDF groups, PKK militants, and remnants of the deposed regime.” Using “closed military zones” is also language that Damascus appears to have borrowed from Israeli announcements, but it remains unclear whether Syria is using this terminology systematically to appeal to Western audiences.
The accusation that the SDF is linked to the PKK is an accusation often made by Turkey.
Turkey is backing the Syrian government, and the SDF has reported that Turkish drones have been active over the frontline recently. There are concerns in SDF ranks that Ankara may join a Syrian government offensive.
Syria’s government is portraying the SDF as recruiting former Assad regime members, saying that the SDF is working with “criminals are being recruited with support from Iran and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).” A factor that will not go over well with US officials who have worked closely with the SDF for years.
In another move, designed to prepare the way for a new offensive, SANA reported several times that “the Syrian Arab Army Operations Command declared the areas of Deir Hafer and Maskanah, located on the western Euphrates, a closed military zone following continued mobilization by SDF groups, along with PKK terrorists and remnants of the deposed regime in the area.”
Damascus officials published a map of the area being targeted in the upcoming offensive, including Dayr Hafir, Maskanah, Babiri, and Qawas on the western bank of the Euphrates.
Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa “affirmed that the injustices witnessed in Syria during the decades of the deposed regime’s rule affected all segments of the Syrian population without exception.”
Syria’s transitional government is trying to do outreach to Kurds as it appears to prepare a new offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces.
The SDF is backed by the US and is composed mostly of Kurds, controlling eastern Syria.
Syrian security forces recently ejected Kurdish fighters from two neighborhoods in Aleppo, raising concerns about Damascus abusing the rights of Kurds. US officials, who back the new Syrian government, are concerned about attacks on the SDF.
Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa “affirmed that the injustices witnessed in Syria during the decades of the deposed regime’s rule affected all segments of the Syrian population without exception,” Syrian state media said on Wednesday.
“The President stressed that the post-liberation period represents a new beginning based on equal citizenship, the rule of law, and the building of state institutions. This ensures the constitutional rights of all Syrians, preserves the unity of Syrian territory, and strengthens stability and development.”
Meanwhile, Damascus is also trying to show that Kurds displaced from Aleppo in the fighting are returning. “The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that thousands of displaced residents have begun returning to their homes in the Aleppo neighborhoods of Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud, following weeks of displacement caused by clashes between the Syrian Arab Army and the SDF organization,” SANA noted.
Syria plans SDF offensive while engaging Kurds for support
Now, Syria is preparing the ground for a new offensive. Syrian state media SANA noted that “the Syrian Arab Army’s Operations Command announced on Wednesday the opening of a humanitarian corridor toward Aleppo city, saying the passage will be opened on Thursday via Hmemeh village on the M15 main road linking Deir Hafer with Aleppo.”
Syrian officials said, “We draw the attention of our people residing in the previously specified eastern Aleppo area, identified via the screens and platforms of al-Ikhbariyah channel, that a humanitarian corridor will be opened tomorrow toward Aleppo city.” The concept of a humanitarian corridor appears to be one of several messaging themes that Syria has borrowed from Israel’s war in Gaza.
Syria has begun to send reinforcements to the Dayr Hafir front near the Euphrates, as the country is opening, saying that it is fighting against “SDF elements, PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] terrorist militants, and remnants of the deposed regime.”
SANA said, “On Tuesday, the Army’s Operations Command declared Deir Hafer and Maskanah, located on the western bank of the Euphrates, a closed military zone due to continued mobilization by SDF groups, PKK militants, and remnants of the deposed regime.” Using “closed military zones” is also language that Damascus appears to have borrowed from Israeli announcements, but it remains unclear whether Syria is using this terminology systematically to appeal to Western audiences.
The accusation that the SDF is linked to the PKK is an accusation often made by Turkey.
Turkey is backing the Syrian government, and the SDF has reported that Turkish drones have been active over the frontline recently. There are concerns in SDF ranks that Ankara may join a Syrian government offensive.
Syria’s government is portraying the SDF as recruiting former Assad regime members, saying that the SDF is working with “criminals are being recruited with support from Iran and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).” A factor that will not go over well with US officials who have worked closely with the SDF for years.
In another move, designed to prepare the way for a new offensive, SANA reported several times that “the Syrian Arab Army Operations Command declared the areas of Deir Hafer and Maskanah, located on the western Euphrates, a closed military zone following continued mobilization by SDF groups, along with PKK terrorists and remnants of the deposed regime in the area.”
Damascus officials published a map of the area being targeted in the upcoming offensive, including Dayr Hafir, Maskanah, Babiri, and Qawas on the western bank of the Euphrates.
Syrian army reinforces Deir Hafir front as tensions escalate in eastern Aleppo
The Syrian army has continued to send military reinforcements towards Deir Hafir in eastern Aleppo, amid a sharp escalation on the ground that has intensified over recent days.
According to SANA on January 14, Syrian forces are deploying additional units from Latakia towards the Deir Hafir front east of Aleppo.
The Syrian government has earlier declared areas west of the Euphrates River controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as a military zone.
A military source said that reinforcements were still arriving in the area, describing Deir Hafir as “a launch point for several suicide drones that have targeted Aleppo in recent weeks.”
The source added that the government aims to reassert control over Deir Hafir and its surroundings, including the city of Maskanah, and to push the SDF east of the Euphrates River.
State broadcaster Syrian TV reported that the SDF shelled Syrian army positions and civilian homes near the village of Humaymah east of Aleppo using heavy machine guns and drones, prompting retaliatory fire by government forces. The channel also said the army thwarted an attempt by the SDF on Tuesday to rig and blow up a bridge linking the villages of Rasm al-Imam and Rasm al-Karoum near Deir Hafir.
The SDF, meanwhile, accused what it described as “Damascus government factions” of targeting infrastructure in Deir Hafir, including the local post office, with artillery and explosive drones, saying no casualties were reported.
The SDF-linked Hawar agency also reported a drone strike near the Tishreen Dam, alleging it was carried out by government forces.
Local authorities in the Safira area east of Aleppo announced the closure of roads leading to Maskanah and nearby areas “for security reasons”, amid warnings of possible military action along the Deir Hafir axis.
A source familiar with the situation told BNE Intellinews,”unless an agreement is reached between the SDF and Damascus, a government offensive on the SDF-held Deir Hafir pocket west of the Euphrates both sides are massing forces along the frontlines, with multiple Syrian army divisions and specialised sniper, drone and artillery units reportedly arriving in the area, while the SDF has moved forward armoured vehicles, artillery and thousands of fighters.”
According to sources involved in talks between Damascus and the SDF, the Syrian government has floated a proposal to integrate the SDF into the army as three territorial divisions, allowing Kurdish forces to manage local security, alongside possible amendments to constitutional arrangements to guarantee cultural rights. Analysts say a deal could avert further bloodshed, while the absence of an agreement risks a wider and more destructive confrontation in eastern Aleppo.
Syrian president says ‘door remains open’ for YPG to integrate to state
Al Sharaa says renewed clashes with YPG terror group in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood undermine security and investment in the city.
Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa said “the state has not demanded the dismantling of YPG, but has instead called for integrating its forces within state institutions,” Syrian TV said.
According to excerpts from a televised interview aired on Wednesday by Al-Ikhbariya, Al Sharaa said “trust cannot be built overnight,” citing what he described as the terror group’s record during Syria’s uprising.
He said “the YPG did not confront the former government for over 14 years of conflict and maintained direct contacts with it.”
Al Sharaa said, “YPG advances during the liberation phase into areas including Deir ez-Zor and parts of Aleppo hindered the liberation process itself, not the former government.”
He said “all state proposals were presented with broad international awareness, including by the US, the UN, and key regional and European states.”
Al Sharaa said “the YPG chose not to take part in the national conference, government formation, or constitutional declaration,” despite not being barred from participation.
He noted that “the state granted the group nine months to build trust,” and emphasised that invitations were extended without intent to exclude it.
The president added that “the YPG failed to abide by the April 1, 2025 agreement calling for the withdrawal of YPG from Sheikh Maqsoud,” with a limited number of Interior Ministry security personnel remaining, alongside local residents, to manage security and services because of the area’s unique social makeup.
“The YPG announced at the time that the withdrawal had been completed,” he added.
About two months later, however, clashes resumed, and shelling began targeting nearby residential neighbourhoods, including Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid, areas home to Arabs, Kurds, and Christians, al Sharaa stressed.
He added that “shells landed in markets and civilian districts, directly undermining security across Aleppo.”
The continued violence has undercut efforts to promote Aleppo as an economic hub, given its industrial and agricultural base and its role as a key trade corridor, he added.
Al Sharaa also noted that “the state cannot attract global investment while shells are fired from a residential neighbourhood every few months,” emphasising that protecting Aleppo and ensuring its stability remain a national priority that cannot be compromised.
In March 2025, the Syrian presidency announced an agreement for the YPG’s integration into state institutions, reaffirming the country’s territorial unity and rejecting any attempts at division.
In April 2025, Syrian authorities signed a separate agreement concerning the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighbourhoods, stipulating that both districts remain administrative parts of Aleppo city while respecting their local particularities.
The agreement included provisions banning armed manifestations, restricting weapons to internal security forces, and requiring the withdrawal of YPG terror group to areas east of the Euphrates River in northeastern Syria.
However, authorities said the YPG has failed to comply with the terms of those agreements.
The Syrian Army has recently deployed additional military reinforcements to the eastern countryside of Aleppo, amid rising tensions with the YPG terrorist organisation and remnants of the former regime, according to Syrian media.
The Syrian government has intensified efforts to restore security nationwide since the ouster of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024, after 24 years in power.
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