Syria declares SDF-occupied zone west of Euphrates as military area

DAMASCUS

Some families return to their homes with vehicles following the clash against terrorist organization YPG, operating under the name SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria on Jan. 12, 2026.

The Syrian Defense Ministry has declared the area west of the Euphrates River, occupied by the PKK/YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) , as a military zone, urging all armed elements to withdraw to the east of the river.

In a statement, the ministry warned SDF members to pull back their forces from the region.

According to Syria's official news agency SANA, the army dispatched significant reinforcements to the Meskene-Deyr Hafir line on Monday after new armed groups linked to the YPG/SDF arrived in the occupied areas.

The Syrian army has highlighted the SDF's fortifications in Aleppo's eastern countryside, vowing a firm response to any military actions.