The Operations Authority of the Syrian Arab Army reported monitoring the arrival of PKK commander Bahuz Ordal from the Qandil Mountains to the Tabqa area in eastern Aleppo countryside over the past hour to manage Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and PKK militia operations against Syrian forces, according to a post by @Sana__gov on X. An SDF-affiliated monitor stated that the International Coalition conducted a field tour in Deir Hafer today and obtained confirmed information on the presence of Guardians of Religion organization members there, as posted by المرصد الحربي-قسد on Telegram during the reporting window from 5:16 PM to 6:15 PM UTC on January 16, 2026. These reports follow over 11,000 civilians evacuating SDF-held areas in eastern Aleppo countryside earlier on January 16, as recorded by the Aleppo Committee per @AleppoGov1 on X, with slow evacuations continuing in Deir Hafer amid a US convoy heading from Tabqa, according to @QalaatAlMudiq on X between 4:46 PM and 5:15 PM UTC. Prior US mediation efforts in Deir Hafer failed, with an American patrol returning without SDF agreement between 2:46 PM and 3:16 PM UTC, as reported by @syrianFactCheck on X, confirming SDF refusal to withdraw after Coalition forces departed the area.
