Syrian army forces entered Deir Hafer east of Aleppo, Syria, as Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew to northeast Syria, according to a map shared by analyst Vvan Wilgenburg on X over the past 59 minutes to 7:45 AM UTC on January 17, 2026. The map details the locations of Syrian army entry into Deir Hafer and the SDF pullback destinations in northeast Syria, confirming movements reported by Al Jazeera and Al-Arabi TV correspondents in the prior hour from 5:45 to 6:45 AM UTC, when army convoys advanced toward Deir Hafer and Maskanah after the SDF withdrawal from eastern Aleppo countryside. A statement addressed to the Kurdish people announced the issuance of a special decree guaranteeing their rights and privacy under law, while opening the door for safe return and full participation in building a unified Syria that accommodates all, as translated from Arabic and shared by analyst Hx Hassan on X during the reporting window. The statement called on Kurds not to believe stories of sedition, affirmed that anyone harming them is an adversary, and expressed desires for peace, development, and unity in Syria, according to the post.
