Tensions surge east of Aleppo as government signals planned offensive; US calls for restraint while interim president blames SDF for stalled negotiations.
DAMASCUS – The Syrian military announced on Wednesday it will open a “humanitarian corridor” on Thursday for civilians to evacuate a contested area east of Aleppo city, signaling a likely impending offensive. The army called on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to withdraw east of the Euphrates River, following days of intensified clashes and a military buildup in the region.
The evacuation corridor, set to operate between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time, targets the towns of Deir Hafer and Maskana, approximately 60 kilometers east of Aleppo. The move comes after recent intense fighting in Aleppo city itself, which killed at least 23 people, displaced tens of thousands, and ended with government forces taking control of several neighborhoods from Kurdish fighters.
Tensions have been mounting in the area, with Damascus accusing the SDF of launching drone strikes in Aleppo city—including one that hit the governorate building last Saturday—and of amassing forces. The SDF has denied these claims, instead reporting Turkish drone strikes and warning of “dangerous repercussions” should the government escalate further.
The clashes unfold against a backdrop of stalled negotiations between the Syrian government and the SDF, which controls large portions of northeast Syria. The talks, encouraged by the United States, aim to integrate forces and grant Damascus control over border crossings and oil fields.
In a televised interview, Interim Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa struck a hard line, praising Kurds but accusing the SDF of violating past agreements and refusing ceasefire mediation. The interview’s initial broadcast was reportedly canceled by a Kurdish-run station over fears it would inflame tensions.
The United States has urged restraint. Admiral Brad Cooper of U.S. Central Command stated Tuesday that Washington is “closely monitoring” the situation and called on all parties to avoid escalation and protect civilians. The SDF, long a U.S. ally against ISIS, is considered a terrorist group by Turkey due to its links to the PKK.
The situation remains volatile, with the Syrian army’s latest orders suggesting a decisive military push could be imminent.
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