Statement to the Public

Based on the internationally sponsored agreement, it was agreed that the Damascus government forces would enter the towns of Deir Hafer and Maskana, east of Aleppo, after our forces completed their withdrawal. However, Damascus violated the terms of the agreement and entered the towns before our fighters had fully withdrawn, creating a highly dangerous situation with potentially serious repercussions.

Therefore, we call upon the international powers sponsoring the agreement to intervene urgently to ensure its implementation and prevent further escalation.

SDF Media Center
January 17, 2026

Update – Clashes are currently taking place in the city of Maskana as a result of violations committed by the Damascus government of the terms of the internationally brokered agreement.

A cessation of hostilities requires an end to these violations and full compliance with the agreement by Damascus, until the complete withdrawal of our fighters from the cities of Maskana and Deir Hafer, as agreed upon.

🚨URGENT
Critical Statement Regarding the Clashes in Dibsi Afnan

Clashes erupted in the Dibsi Afnan area, west of Raqqa, following a treacherous attack by factions of the Damascus government on our forces' positions, in clear violation of the internationally brokered agreement.

The agreement stipulated a ceasefire and a 48-hour deadline for our forces to withdraw from the towns of Deir Hafer and Maskana. However, the Damascus government deployed military convoys, heavy weapons, and tanks to the area before the withdrawal was complete and attacked our fighters, resulting in the martyrdom of several of them.

We hold those who violated the agreement and betrayed our forces fully responsible for this escalation. We also hold the international powers sponsoring the agreement responsible for what is happening and call upon them to intervene immediately to stop the violations and prevent further deterioration of the situation.

SDF Media Center
January 17, 2026

Founder of the YPG International Battalion, Karim Franceschi on X:

"As expected given the compressed timeline, roughly 10 hours from the announced withdrawal from the ~900 km² pocket, multiple SDF elements were caught mid-retrograde.

Motorized Syrian MoD–aligned forces exploited the transition window and penetrated as far as Maskana within minutes, cutting off marching SDF infantry columns."

@KurdishFrontReport

🚨URGENT

Senior Kurdish official @ElhamAhmadSDC "yesterday, the SDF agreed to withdraw its forces from the western bank of the Euphrates, including the towns of Deitr Hafer and Maskanah. However, units affiliated with the Syrian Transitional Government (STG), have violated this agreement. Heavy clashes are now under way between both sides in Maskanah. We hold the STG fully accountable for this breach and for provoking violence against the SDF."

Currently, SDF and YPJ forces are responding to attacks by HTS, affiliated with the Damascus government, and SNA forces, affiliated with the Turkish state; intense clashes are taking place in the region.

🚨URGENT

The Interior Committee of the Autonomous Administration announced a curfew!
-The curfew has been announced in the Tabqa Canton until an indefinite period
-The curfew is in the cities of Tabqa, Cirinia and Mansoura

🚨ATTENTION

The video evidence proves how the Damascus government forces and the Turkish-backed SNA militias violated the agreement. As SDF forces withdrew, HTS and SNA militias, along with dormant ISIS cells they had activated, attacked the SDF forces.

They are plundering everywhere they go!

HTS and SNA forces began looting and stealing belongings from civilians' homes in Deir Hafer after the SDF withdrew.

They do the same thing at Sheikh Maqsoud.