Syrian Army Launches Offensive, Causing Mixed Reactions Among Civilians

Syrian Forces Take Control of Northeastern Cities

On January 18, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led group, announced its withdrawal from the cities of Raqqa and Deir Az Zor in northeastern Syria. The move has sparked mixed reactions among local populations.

In Arab-majority cities such as Deir Az Zor, residents have expressed relief and joy at the arrival of government forces. Adnan Khadeir, an Arab resident, stated that “the reaction of the people of the region to the entry of the Syrian state and its control over the region is indescribable.” He noted that many people feared the SDF’s repression and were concerned about forced conscription.

However, in areas with larger Kurdish populations, residents have expressed fear and apprehension about government military incursions. Abbas Musa, coordinator of the Missing Persons’ Families Platform in North and East Syria, stated that “fear is widespread, and it is a real fear based on documented experiences.” He cited concerns about sectarian killings similar to those experienced during the Syrian coast’s conflict.

The SDF had controlled much of the country’s resource-rich northeast since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024. Discussions between the group and President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government led to an agreement on March 10, which promised the SDF’s integration into the new Syrian Armed Forces by the end of 2025.

However, disagreements remained over individual versus battalion-level integration, as well as autonomy or political decentralization for the northeast. The US had previously signaled its support for the SDF, but its involvement appears to be ending. A new deal was agreed on January 18, which gave more favorable terms to Damascus. The agreement includes individual integration of SDF fighters into the Syrian army.

The situation has led some observers to comment that “the SDF as the primary anti-ISIS force on the ground has largely expired.”

Source: Al Jazeera