Syrian army forces deployed inside the city of Deir Hafer, east of Aleppo, Syria, following the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from the city, according to an Al-Arabi TV correspondent who reported the development over the past hour during the 5:45 to 6:45 AM UTC window on January 17, 2026. An Al Jazeera correspondent stated that the Syrian army is reinforcing its positions with additional convoys to enter Deir Hafer and Maskanah after the SDF's decision to withdraw from these eastern Aleppo countryside areas. A separate Al-Arabi TV report indicated Syrian army forces advancing in large numbers towards the outskirts of Deir Hafer in preparation for the SDF pullback from the eastern countryside of Aleppo, shared via X posts within the same reporting period. These movements build on earlier updates from approximately 5:00 AM UTC, when Al Jazeera reported Syrian army preparations to enter Aleppo countryside areas following a scheduled SDF withdrawal.
