Eastern Aleppo witnessed heightened military activity on Friday as United States Air Force F-15 fighter jets were spotted flying at low altitude over the region, coinciding with the redeployment of Syrian government forces into the towns of Deir Hafer and Maskana following the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) units.
The movement of Syrian troops into territory east of Aleppo marks a significant stage in the ongoing reorganization of forces in northern Syria, following an internationally mediated agreement between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led SDF.
Syrian army units were observed entering Deir Hafer, approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of Aleppo city, shortly after the Kurdish-led forces began pulling back from the area. Maskana, another strategic town in the eastern Aleppo countryside, also saw the arrival of government forces as part of a coordinated push to reassert state control over regions that had remained outside Damascus’s direct authority for years.
The SDF announced last week that it would redeploy its forces east of the Euphrates River, following talks with U.S. officials and political initiatives by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Among these steps, al-Sharaa pledged to recognize Kurdish as a national language, signaling an attempt to ease long-standing tensions and integrate Kurdish institutions into the Syrian state framework.
In a statement carried by the state-run Sana news agency, the Syrian army confirmed that its units “began entering the western Euphrates area” and declared that they had established “full military control” over Deir Hafer. Authorities urged civilians to remain out of the area until it is secured and cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance, emphasizing that demining operations remain ongoing.
The presence of U.S. F-15 fighter jets over the eastern Aleppo countryside coincided with the ground movements, underlining continued American air activity during this sensitive transition. While the U.S. military has not commented publicly on the specific flights, American aircraft routinely operate in Syrian airspace as part of broader security missions, including surveillance, deterrence, and monitoring of regional force movements.
F-15s, key assets of the U.S. Air Force, are frequently deployed for air superiority patrols and rapid response in contested areas. Low-altitude flights, such as those seen over Aleppo, are often associated with visible deterrence, reconnaissance, or close monitoring of ground developments. Analysts note that such operations aim to maintain situational awareness while preventing escalation in regions where multiple forces operate in close proximity.
The redeployment of the SDF follows a week of deadly clashes between Kurdish fighters and Syrian government-aligned units, prompting Washington to call for restraint. U.S. officials urged both sides to avoid confrontation and to maintain stability while negotiations over the political and military future of Kurdish-controlled areas continue.
President al-Sharaa has reiterated plans to integrate Kurdish military and civilian institutions into national structures, a move intended to reduce the risk of further internal conflict. The withdrawal of SDF units from towns east of Aleppo represents the first tangible step in this process, enabling Syrian government forces to reestablish control over key population centers and strategic transport routes.
Deir Hafer and Maskana sit along vital links connecting Aleppo to central and eastern Syria. The entry of Syrian army forces into these towns strengthens Damascus’s lines of communication and logistics while diminishing the territory previously administered by the SDF west of the Euphrates.
The U.S. military continues to operate in Syria primarily to counter terrorist threats, including the potential resurgence of Islamic State cells, and to support partner forces. Aircraft operations in shifting control areas are intended to safeguard American personnel, maintain situational awareness, and deter inadvertent clashes.
Despite the Syrian government’s declaration of full control over Deir Hafer, conditions on the ground remain fluid. Military engineers continue to clear mines and explosive remnants, with authorities warning civilians against returning prematurely. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the redeployment leads to a sustained reduction in regional tensions or further localized instability.
