DEIR HAFER: Syria's army said on Saturday that its forces had taken control of swathes of the region east of Aleppo city after Kurdish forces agreed to withdraw following recent clashes. The advance comes a day after President Ahmed al Sharaa issued a decree declaring Kurdish a "national language" and granting the minority official recognition in an apparent goodwill gesture, though the Kurds said it fell short of their aspirations. Some 50 kilometres east of Aleppo city, several SDF fighters were seen leaving the town, while a large number of residents who had fled the area were returning, amid a heavy presence of soldiers and security forces.
In statements to state television, Syria's army said it had taken control of "34 villages and towns" east of Aleppo, including the key towns of Deir Hafer and Maskana, as well as a military airport. But it accused the SDF of violating the agreement and targeting an army patrol near Maskana, "killing two soldiers". It also said it had secured the exit of "more than 200 SDF organisation fighters and their weapons". — AFP
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