Syria's Kurds say attack by gov't Islamist forces kills many fighters

Syrias Kurds say attack by govt Islamist forces kills several fighters — Syrian government Islamist forces attack Kurdish SDF convoy while withdrawing from eastern Aleppo, January 17, 2026. Photo: Video/X/via iKurd.net

QAMISHLO, — Kurdish-led forces in Syrian Kurdistan said the government Islamist fighters carried out a deadly attack on Saturday that killed several of their members, accusing Damascus of deliberately violating a withdrawal agreement reached after clashes east of Aleppo.

The Syrian Democratic Forces SDF said the deal clearly required a ceasefire and gave their units 48 hours to withdraw from the towns of Deir Hafer and Maskana.

In a statement, the SDF said government forces ignored the agreement, pushed military convoys into the area before the withdrawal deadline expired, and launched an attack (video) on their fighters.

The SDF said the assault resulted in the deaths of several of its members and described the government’s actions as a direct breach of commitments meant to prevent further violence.

The group said Syrian army units entered Deir Hafer and Maskana while its fighters were still present, creating what it called a highly dangerous situation on the ground.

Syria’s army claimed it had taken control of large parts of the region east of Aleppo city after Kurdish forces agreed to withdraw following recent clashes.

In statements broadcast by state television, the army said it had seized 34 towns and villages, including Deir Hafer and Maskana, as well as a military airport.

In a retaliatory move, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) responded to attacks by Syrian government Islamist forces in self-defense and destroyed several of the government fighters’ vehicles, Aleppo, Syria. January 17, 2026. Photo: SDF/VIDEO/via iKurd.net

The SDF rejected that narrative, saying the takeover was forced through military pressure and violations of the agreement.

An AFP correspondent in Deir Hafer, around 50 kilometers east of Aleppo city, saw SDF fighters leaving the town on Saturday under a heavy deployment of soldiers and security forces.

The correspondent also reported that residents who had fled earlier were returning as government forces tightened control over the area.

The Syrian army had moved reinforcements toward Deir Hafer after pushing Kurdish forces out of Aleppo city following deadly clashes last week.

The military had ordered the SDF to evacuate areas stretching from Deir Hafer toward the Euphrates River, roughly 30 kilometers to the east, as well as locations further south.

SDF top commander, General Mazloum Abdi said on Friday that his forces would redeploy east of the Euphrates River after appeals from friendly countries and mediators.

He said the move was intended to avoid further confrontation despite what the SDF described as repeated violations by Damascus.

The United States has supported the Kurdish-led forces for years while also backing Syria’s new authorities.

US envoy Tom Barrack was in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan on Saturday for talks with Abdi, according to reports.

Kurds impose curfew in Raqa as Syrian government forces push forward

Kurdish authorities in northern and northeastern Syria on Saturday imposed a curfew in the Raqa region “until further notice” as Syrian government Islamist militias advanced and threatened strikes on key sites.

Earlier in the day, the Syrian army took control of areas outside Aleppo city. Following the advance, the military declared a section of Kurdish-held territory in Raqa province, southwest of the Euphrates River, a “closed military zone.” The army warned it would target several sites it described as military positions, including one near Raqa city.

Syria’s Islamist-led government has been moving to impose its control nationwide since the removal of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, relying on military pressure and disputed local agreements to expand its authority.

(With files from AFP)