The Syrian army announced on January 17, 2026, that it had established full military control over the town of Deir Hafer in the eastern countryside of Aleppo province. This development occurred after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew from the area. The move signifies a crucial shift in territorial control within the strategically important Aleppo governorate. According to state media, Syrian army units are now working to secure the city and clear it of mines and other remnants of war. The withdrawal of the SDF was reportedly part of an agreement, following recent clashes and escalating tensions between government forces and the SDF in Aleppo. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi had announced a planned withdrawal from areas west of the Euphrates River, including Deir Hafer, as a gesture of goodwill to de-escalate tensions and in response to calls from mediators. However, conflicting accounts emerged regarding the execution of the withdrawal. The SDF accused Syrian government forces of violating the terms of the agreement by entering Deir Hafer and the nearby town of Maskana before the SDF fighters had fully completed their pullout, which they described as creating a "highly dangerous situation with potentially serious repercussions." Conversely, Syrian state news agency SANA reported that SDF fighters "violated the agreement" by targeting an army patrol near Maskana, resulting in the deaths of two Syrian soldiers and injuring others. Despite these disputes over the process, the core fact of the Syrian army gaining control of Deir Hafer after the SDF's departure is widely corroborated by various credible news outlets, including Al Jazeera, CGTN, Arab News, and the Associated Press. The United States had urged both parties to avoid confrontation and resume negotiations, emphasizing a diplomatic resolution.