ALEPPO: A US-led coalition stepped in on Friday to de-escalate tensions between the Syrian government and Kurdish forces in northern Syria, following the Syrian army’s efforts to assert control over Kurdish-held areas.
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After expelling Kurdish fighters from Aleppo last week, Damascus deployed reinforcements near Deir Hafer, about 50 kilometres east of the city, ordering the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to leave. The move comes as Syria seeks to extend authority nationwide following the ousting of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The United States remains in close contact with all parties in Syria, working around the clock to lower the temperature, prevent escalation, and return to integration talks between the Syrian government and the SDF.
— Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) January 16, 2026
2) hundreds of Kurdish community and human rights activists rallied outside the White House on Friday, urging the US administration to intervene urgently to protect Syria’s Kurdish population amid escalating violence in Aleppo as they Turkish and jolani continue attacking the… pic.twitter.com/c47kK7pTPA
— Botin Kurdistani (@kurdistannews24) January 17, 2026
Farhad Shami, spokesperson for the SDF, confirmed that the US coalition met with the group in Deir Hafer to prevent clashes. A Syrian military source said a delegation from the defence ministry also entered the area to negotiate with SDF leaders. US envoy Tom Barrack stated on X that efforts were ongoing “around the clock” to avoid escalation, noting that both sides receive US backing.
The situation remained calm after the deadline for civilians to evacuate expired. Over 4,000 residents reportedly fled the region, some crossing the Euphrates via improvised routes. Syrian authorities accused the SDF of delaying evacuations, a claim the Kurdish group rejected.
Syrian forces urged SDF members to defect and reintegrate into the state, while the SDF described these calls as attempts to “create discord” among local communities. The northern SDF controls much of Syria’s oil-rich northeast, which it captured during the civil war and the fight against Islamic State.
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Analysts say the capture of Aleppo’s Kurdish districts does not significantly alter the military balance but signals that Damascus can impose costs when negotiations stall. The SDF and the Syrian government are expected to continue negotiations to integrate the Kurdish autonomous administration into the state, as envisioned in a stalled March agreement.